I WELCOME the theme of Budget 2022, “Keluarga Malaysia, Makmur Sejahtera” – an inclusive strategy that addresses stimulating the postpandemic economy, job creation, upskilling, digital transformation and gender equality.
It is extremely encouraging to see RM20 million allocated to Cradle for the execution of MyStartup strategy. The pandemic has forced many economic activities to go online, and the continuation of the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint will help further accelerate Malaysia’s technology industry.
The allocation to Cradle should go beyond seeding initial start-up capital. As the central agency for startups, Cradle will also be able to provide mentorship, access to market and facilitating the cooperation between larger corporates and early stage startups.
In addition, this initiative will be able to attract local and foreign technology companies which will create high value jobs and nurture long-term technology talent in Malaysia.
More importantly, this is not just a budget that focuses on the disruptions of the pandemic but a rather forward looking one with its commitment for Malaysia to be a carbon neutral country. For the first time, sales of electric vehicles (EVs) are exempted from import duty, excise duty and sales tax.
Malaysia has one of the highest car ownership per capita in Southeast Asia and a step towards electromobility (eMobility) is a step closer in achieving our climate targets. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) produce lower to no emissions when driving. The exemptions proposed by the government is a crucial catalyst in shifting consumer demand from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles towards BEVs.
As awareness starts to spread, the hope is that consumers become more environmentally conscious, businesses begin pursuing sustainable goals to meet new consumer demands and finally transforming the nation to a prosperous and sustainable economy.
Despite the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, it’s a breath of fresh air to see that our political leaders are taking sustainability more seriously and paving the way for Malaysia to be one of the first nations in the region to fully embrace EVs.
For us at Carput, sustainability is not a trend, but a new business reality and we hope budget 2022 will kickstart an automotive policy that helps transition Malaysia into a zero-emission vehicle nation.
* Eugene Tan is the founder of Carput, an automotive roadside assistance startup venturing into the world of electric vehicle charging.
** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.
Media Statement
Sun Oct 31 2021
Eugene Tan is the founder of Carput, an automotive roadside assistance startup venturing into the world of electric vehicle charging.
Fadillah tiba di Peru untuk hadiri mesyuarat menteri-menteri tenaga APEC 2024
Timbalan Perdana Menteri Fadillah akan mengetengahkan pendirian Malaysia dalam melaksanakan usaha peralihan tenaga negara.
Lawatan PM Anwar ke India dijangka kukuhkan hubungan ekonomi - Ramanan
Perdana Menteri Anwar dijadualkan membuat lawatan rasmi pertama ke India dari 19 hingga 20 Ogos.
PRK Nenggiri: Generasi muda tagih peluang pekerjaan
Tanpa kehadiran tapak perindustrian, rata-rata penduduk di sini hanya bergantung harap kepada pekerjaan tradisional.
Dua pelajar cemerlang Malaysia terpilih sertai CSSP di Geneva
Dua pelajar cemerlang Malaysia dipilih menyertai Program Pelajar Musim Panas CERN (CSSP) 2024 di Geneva, Switzerland.
Hari Kebangsaan: Tidak berkira hias rumah, kereta sejak 24 tahun lepas
Kandapan juga cukup terkenal dengan keretanya yang turut dihiasi Jalur Gemilang, bendera Johor dan semua negeri serta pelbagai pelekat imej bertemakan kemerdekaan termasuk wajah pemimpin negara.
Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI
Malaysia akan kekal sebagai destinasi utama bagi pelaburan syarikat minyak nasional Thailand, PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP), dalam jangka masa pendek dan panjang.
Jualan penyaman udara naik mendadak di negara Balkan
Menetap di negara sejuk, mereka tidak pernah terfikir memasang penyaman udara di dalam rumah memandangkan musim panas bukanlah setiap hari. Namun, cuaca panas melampau membuatkan mereka bertukar fikiran.
Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa
Kerajaan Malaysia mengecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan Masjid Al-Aqsa oleh ekstremis Zionis Israel pada 13 Ogos.
Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham
Ayah kepada penyanyi dan Youtubers Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar reda dengan pemergian anak lelakinya walaupun itu bukan pengakhiran yang beliau harapkan.
Ahli perniagaan diberkas, terlibat dalam aktiviti kumpulan mafia
Seorang ahli perniagaan Itali ditangkap di bandar Natal, Brazil pada selasa.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.