Johor plans to create mechanism to support EV usage

ISKANDAR PUTERI, March 22 (Bernama) -- The Johor government plans to develop a mechanism involving relevant industries to support the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in the future.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the move was in line with the state government’s initiative to boost EV usage in the state.

He said it was also in tandem with Singapore’s initiative to cease the registration of new petrol-powered vehicles in 2030.

“It is inevitable, which means that Johor (must) have a plan to establish a collaboration with local authorities.

“I will discuss this matter with the state secretary (Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani) so that a mechanism that is more organised and strategic involving industries that have a power source to…(support) our strategy (regarding EVs) in years to come,” he said in an oral question and answer session at the Johor State Assembly sitting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail, Kota Iskandar, today.

Onn Hafiz (BN-Machap) said Singapore’s adoption of EVs was also discussed during his meeting with the republic’s Transport Minister, S. Iswaran last month.

The meeting also touched on the proposal to introduce a ferry service between the Puteri Harbour Terminal here and Tuas in Singapore, he added.

During the three-day official visit to Singapore, Onn Hafiz also met with Singapore’s Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan; Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu; and attended a dialogue session with the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF).

“Overall, a lot of matters were discussed during the visit especially bilateral issues involving Singapore and Johor.

“Therefore, follow-up actions from relevant departments and agencies are necessary to realise all plans in order to meet the state government’s goal,” he said.

Onn Hafiz said this in his reply to a question from Andrew Chen Kah Eng (PH-Stulang) who wanted to know the outcome of his official visit to Singapore from Feb 12 to 14.

-- BERNAMA