AWS, Tesla’s investments due to faith in unity govt’s stability: Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR – Investments by tech giants Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Tesla in Malaysia were due to their faith in the unity government’s political stability, revealed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Although discussions about investing in Malaysia took place in 2019, Anwar (Tambun-PH) told Dewan Rakyat that AWS contacted him to proceed with the RM25.5 billion investment, citing confidence in the unity government.

“AWS was invited by many Asean countries (to invest) but it chose Malaysia. This will increase the confidence (of other investors) in Malaysia.”

He added that the RM25.5 billion investment over five years is expected to provide tens of thousands of job opportunities in the digital and information technology sectors.

AWS had announced that it is investing in Malaysia as part of its strategy to develop an infrastructure region in the country.

Anwar’s revelation came in response to a tweet by former international trade and industry minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali which claimed that discussions with AWS took place in May last year in San Francisco during his trade mission. 

The discussion took place in May 2022 during my trade mission to San Francisco. https://t.co/G8RId4JCKW

— Mohamed Azmin Ali ?? (@AzminAli) March 2, 2023

Meanwhile, Sim Tze Tzin (Bayan Baru-PH) in a supplementary question, asked about the government’s plans to attract more top-tier investors.

In response, Anwar said Malaysia should focus on improving existing investments to make it more attractive for other foreign investors. 

He added that there are companies from Singapore and the Philippines that want to leverage on AWS’ investment in Malaysia to invest in the supporting industries.

On March 1, the International Trade and Industry Ministry approved Tesla’s application to import battery-electric vehicles.

In realising this objective, Tesla will establish a head office in Malaysia, introduce Tesla’s “experience centres” and service centres, and establish its “Supercharger” network. – The Vibes, March 7, 2023