Proton e.MAS 7 Deployed As Official EV For ASEAN Economic Ministers Retreat

KOTA TINGGI, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has deployed 27 units of the Proton e.MAS 7, Malaysia’s first national electric vehicle (EV) as the official transport for the 31st ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Retreat in Desaru.

"Currently, the vehicles are being used to transport delegates for the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration (HLTF-EI) meeting and the Preparatory Senior Economic Officials meeting (Prep-SEOM)," MITI senior principal assistant director Ikhwan Nasir Abu Hanipah told Bernama.

The AEM Retreat and its related meetings are taking place in Desaru from Feb 22 to 28.

It began with the 12th ASEAN Economic Community working group meeting from Feb 22 to 23, followed by the HLTF-EI meeting from Feb 24 to 25.

Prep-SEOM is scheduled for Feb 26 to 27, culminating in the AEM Retreat on Feb 28, which will be chaired by MITI Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

The ministers are expected to discuss 18 Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs), aimed at strengthening regional economic integration, enhancing inclusivity, promoting sustainability, and driving digital trade within ASEAN.

Previously, 61 Proton e.MAS 7 were used as official vehicles to transport key officials at the ASEAN SOM meeting during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM) in Langkawi in January.

The AMM marked the start of what is set to be a significant and eventful year for Malaysia as ASEAN Chair in 2025.

In October 2024, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that EVs would serve as the official vehicles for state functions throughout Malaysia’s chairmanship.

The Proton e.MAS 7 was officially launched in the local market on Dec 16 last year.

-- BERNAMA