Proton sees Malaysia’s E&E strength as key to automotive industry’s next chapter

Malaysia's automotive industry stands to benefit significantly from its robust electrical and electronics (E&E) ecosystem as vehicles increasingly incorporate electronic components, according to Proton Holdings Bhd. Datuk Abdul Rashid Musa, deputy chief executive officer of Proton Holdings, highlighted the country's strong position in the automotive landscape of Southeast Asia during an interview at the Global Automotive and Technology Expo 2026 in Kuala Lumpur.

Abdul Rashid emphasized that Malaysia registered the highest domestic total industry volume (TIV) of 820,000 units in 2025, despite the country's population ranking fifth in the region. Additionally, Malaysia leads in automotive safety, with the Asean New Car Assessment Programme (Asean NCAP) safety assessments conducted in the country.

The deputy CEO expressed the need for continued supportive government policies to sustain growth and reinforce the convergence between the E&E and automotive sectors in Malaysia. He also noted that the automotive industry employs approximately 700,000 people and proposed promoting technical and vocational education and training (TVET) along with the development of automotive components to harness Malaysia's strong E&E industry, fostering a synergy between the two sectors.

Abdul Rashid expressed optimism about Malaysia's continued prosperity, with the automotive industry playing an increasingly vital role in driving national economic growth.