KUALA LUMPUR: Tesla’s reported decision to abandon plans to build electric vehicle (EV) factories in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia has been attributed to business losses and competition from China, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz had received direct information regarding Tesla’s situation.“He has received the latest information that Tesla is facing losses and cannot compete with EVs from China,” he told reporters after launching the management and governance guidelines for federal statutory bodies yesterday.
Anwar was asked to comment on reports suggesting Tesla had shelved plans to build factories in the three South-East Asian nations to concentrate on setting up charging stations.
While initially showing interest in Thailand, Anwar said Tesla’s plans for Malaysia were still in the early stages.
Currently, Tesla operates sales offices and showrooms in Thailand and Malaysia.
Following reports of the cancellation, Tengku Zafrul clarified that the ministry and Tesla had never announced that it would open a factory in Malaysia.
On another matter, Anwar said he would propose a law review to the Cabinet following a High Court order to transfer 106ha of land in Batu, Kuala Lumpur, to Semantan Estate Sdn Bhd.
While respecting the court’s decision, Anwar expressed concerns over the serious implications of the ruling which had set a precedent for similar land dispute cases in future.
“That land was meant for public usage and government buildings, not for private usage.
“I will propose for the Cabinet to look into this because of the potential implications,” he said.
Citing examples, Anwar said the government had taken land before and after Merdeka for public usage but later, that land was taken over by the private sector.
“The private sector has also bought land for farming purposes, then sold it for industrial use at a higher price. In such cases, the original sellers who sold at a low price will now feel short-changed,” he said.
The Prime Minister added that both the government and Semantan Estate had requested discussions on the matter.
He also said there were other instances where the government had acquired land for public use in the past in areas such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Selangor.
On Wednesday, High Court judge Justice Ahmad Shahrir Mohd Salleh ordered the government to transfer the land to Semantan Estate after allowing the company’s originating summons against the Registrar of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Land.
The court also dismissed the government’s application for a stay of execution pending its proposed settlement of the land dispute.
The disputed land, located in the prime Jalan Duta area known as the “Duta enclave”, houses government buildings that include the National Hockey Stadium, Malaysian Institute of Integrity, National Archives, Kuala Lumpur Syariah Court, Inland Revenue Board building and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Academy.
The government has filed an appeal against the court’s order.
