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Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Deputy Minister Sim Tze Tzin has announced that Malaysia is targeting Level Three autonomous driving by 2030
This level of automation means your car can drive itself under certain conditions, though you still need to be ready to take over the controls at a moment's notice.
Autonomous driving systems are categorised into six levels, according to standards developed by SAE International.
The levels start at 0 for no driving automation and go up to Level Five for fully autonomous vehicles capable of navigating complex road conditions.
Speaking at the Second ASEAN Automotive and Mobility Conference recently, Sim argued that the industry needed to move past traditional manufacturing.
Sim said local vendors must start supplying the chips, sensors, and software that power these self-driving systems
"Our local vendors will need to upgrade their capabilities, while local authorities and the Public Works Department (JKR) must also improve road conditions and supporting infrastructure," Sim said, according to The Edge Malaysia.
He emphasised that the transition also includes upgrading road signs and related facilities to support the new tech.
To maintain momentum, the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) will be tasked with advancing these high-tech initiatives.
Sim noted that while the country is busy catching up with today's tech, it should not lose sight of the autonomous future
"If we focus only on today, we will always be chasing others.
"But if we start building the foundation for autonomous technology now, Malaysia can lead the region," he added.
He also said the government is now pushing for a "whole-of-nation effort" to upgrade the automotive ecosystem.
