PETALING JAYA: Electric car giant Tesla will be setting up its Malaysia head office in Cyberjaya this year, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In a 25-min virtual meeting with Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk today, Anwar welcomed the latter's interest in investing in Malaysia, and said later the world's richest man also planned to come for a visit.
“I congratulated him and expressed the government’s support for the setting up of Tesla’s office as well as its experience and service centres in Selangor this year,” he said in a statement after the meeting.
The event was also attended by SpaceX senior director Lauren Dreyer, Malaysian Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, and Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Anwar said they also discussed SpaceX’s Starlink satellite broadband service which could boost the nation’s internet connectivity especially in rural areas which only required minimal physical infrastructure.
“The initiative by SpaceX could improve the well-being of the people especially from the education aspect as well as agricultural technology and income generation,” he added.
Starlink is a satellite broadband service developed by SpaceX which is currently available in 32 countries.
In March, Tengku Zafrul announced Tesla's plan to set up its base, which includes an experience and supercharger network facility as well as its service centre, in Malaysia.
The investment would generate skilled employment opportunities for locals, he said.
Following Anwar's meeting with Musk, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said Tesla Inc’s move to set up its Malaysia head office in Selangor is a reflection of investor confidence in the administration of the state.
He said Tesla’s presence in Cyberjaya is expected to encourage more international companies involved in battery technology to invest in the state.
“It will also increase the interest of the young generation in pursuing high-tech fields, specifically in the clean energy industry,” added Amirudin.
