Tesla, Amazon Web Services Investments Will Create High-Quality Jobs - Tengku Zafrul

According to Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, the proposed investments by two industry titans, Tesla and Amazon Web Services (AWS), will have a positive economic impact on the country and create high-quality job opportunities. The International Trade and Industry Minister stated that Tesla's decision to invest in Malaysia was based on the country's strong electrical and electronics (E&E) ecosystem, which supports the production of electric vehicles (EVs).

Malaysia, he noted, is the seventh largest producer in the E&E and semiconductor sectors, which supply critical components in EV manufacturing.

"The most appealing aspect of Malaysia is that the E&E ecosystem can support the EV industry.

"For example, Tesla said that quite a large part of its supply chain is from Malaysia, so why not relocate here?" he said at a press conference on Monday following the launch of the Industry Excellence Award (AKI) 2024 at Johor Port. The minister was asked to comment on Tesla and AWS's new investments. Tengku Zafrul previously stated that the International Trade and Industry Ministry had approved Tesla's application to import battery EVs into Malaysia.

According to him, the EV giant will establish a headquarters, experience and service centres, and a Supercharger network, while also creating skilled and higher-paying jobs in Malaysia. Tengku Zafrul stated that AWS' estimated investment of RM25.5 billion over 15 years will boost Malaysia's competitiveness in the information technology and communications industry, as well as support innovation by small and medium-sized enterprises in line with the country's digital aspirations.