Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed hope that Proton EVs can roll off the new production line before the 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025, where they will be showcased to more than 20 attending heads of state./
Proton Holdings Bhd e.MAS 7 EVs at the company's plant in Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)
Hanoi (VNA) 🍎- Malaysian automaker Proton launched its first electric vehicle assembly plant on September 4, as the Southeast Asian nation looks to boost development of its EV industry.
The Proton EV plant – developed in partnership with China’s Geely Auto – was built on a 2.2-hectare site at an estimated cost of 82 million MYR (25.5 million USD). It is equipped with advanced digital systems and specialised EV facilities, including battery assembly, high-voltage safety, electric testing, and EV chassis integration.
In its initial phase, the plant will have a production capacity of about 20,000 EVs per year. Once fully completed, its annual capacity is expected to rise to 45,000 units.
Speaking at the plant’s launch, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed hope that Proton EVs can roll off the new production line before the 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025, where they will be showcased to more than 20 attending heads of state./.
Malaysia saw a year-on-year surge of 141.85% in electric vehicle (EV) registrations so far this year to 10,663 units, according to the Road Transportation Department.
The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) of Malaysia has presented a proposal for a one-time subsidy for electric vehicle (EV) owners to boost the growth of this industry.
Malaysia aims to attract more electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers as it is striving to establish itself as an EV manufacturing hub for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), an official has said.
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An illegal wildlife trade case involving 16 protected eagles has been busted in Central Bangka district, Bangka Belitung Islands province of Indonesia.
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Senior defence officials of the Republic of Korea (RoK) and the Philippines discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in defence and weapon industry at their meeting in Seoul on September 15.
From September 16, residents and visitors can enjoy a safer, cleaner, and higher-quality travel option aboard the company’s signature cyan taxis, with special promotions available for new users.
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The Indonesian government has confirmed that it will stop providing incentives for imported completely built-up (CBU) battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from 2026.
The ministry warned that the RSV can easily spread through mucus, saliva and toys around children. Currently, there is no specific treatment or RSV vaccine for children, so families were urged to take preventive measures.
Thailand has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing markets for artificial intelligence (AI), with OpenAI reporting that weekly active users of ChatGPT in the country have quadrupled over the past year.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is driving forward the Land Bridge mega-project, valued at nearly 1 trillion THB (31.5 billion USD), to stimulate the economy and attract long-term investment.
A discussion on Vietnamese cuisine, culture and tourism was held in Tel Aviv on September 14, aiming to deepen the understanding of Vietnamese culture and promote people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and Israel, especially as the two countries expand cooperation across multiple fields.
Confirmed initiatives include the revival of the popular "Half-Half" co-payment scheme. Other proposals under discussion - though not yet finalised - include the "We Travel Together" tourism stimulus programme, decentralisation efforts and disaster mitigation strategies.
Fidel’s words to the gathered soldiers: “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its own blood!” captured the very essence of the friendship forged between the two nations, a relationship nurtured through resilience, dignity, and internationalist spirit.
The satellite Nusantara 5 (N5), launched by Indonesia, is expected to strengthen connectivity in Indonesia's eastern region, supporting distance learning, digital health care, and providing access to information and entertainment for remote communities.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is preparing 17 locations to be designated as specific national strategic areas (KSNT) for blue carbon reserves.
The ASEAN task force is not identical to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) but is intended to serve as a platform for collective discussions and joint actions when ASEAN countries face shared threats.
