KUCHING, June 21: The federal government should consider implementing policies which can foster public interest in using electric vehicles, says Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni.
He stated this today during the ‘Epilogue Session: Panel Discussion—Digitalisation to Accelerate Sustainable Developments for Sarawak’ session in conjunction with International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (Idecs) 2022 held at Borneo Kuching Convention Centre (BCCK) here today.
“Looking at Norway where 75 per cent of the vehicles used by the local community are electric vehicles, this started from the growing interest after the company Tesla sold its products there.
“The development is accelerated by the implementation of various policies by the Norwegian government such as sales tax exemption on electric vehicles as well as the provision of rebates for income tax for anyone who owns such vehicles,” he said.
Dr Hazland noted that the relevant policies also need to be examined here to cultivate the public’s interest to use environmentally friendly electric vehicles.
“Currently, it is still difficult to own the vehicle due to the still high cost,” he explained.
Also participating in the session were Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Sarawak Energy Berhad information and communication technology senior vice-president Sim Ko Sin, and session moderator and Oake Media founder and director Lisa Oake. — DayakDaily
