KUALA LUMPUR, July 14 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said his video call today with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk touched on using the company's satellite network to provide faster internet speeds in rural areas in Malaysia.
Following a video conference at the Prime Minister's Office at 9.30am, Anwar said he welcomed Musk's willingness to come to Malaysia.
“We also discussed about SpaceX's participation with the Starlink satellite service which can contribute to faster and wider internet coverage, especially at the interiors, which only requires physical infrastructure and minimal land to increase the global internet network,” Anwar said in a statement today.
Anwar said this initiative involving the Starlink satellite network will increase Malaysians' capacity and wellbeing, especially in terms of education and potential for agriculture technology and to generate income.
According to Starlink's website, it provides high-speed, low-latency broadband internet across the globe using the world's largest constellation of satellites on a low orbit around the earth. Starlink said it is able to support high data rate activities such as streaming, video calls and online gaming as the satellites' low orbit results in lower latency or shorter round trip data time between user and the satellite.
Anwar also said he welcomed interest to invest in Malaysia, and congratulated Musk on his company Tesla's opening of its head office, experience centre and service centre for Tesla's electric vehicles in Selangor this year.
"Malaysia will continue to strengthen its commitment in the matter of net zero carbon emissions as early as 2050. Malaysia has a comprehensive plan and ecosystem, and competitive resources in supporting the clean energy industry, including electric mobility," he said. Electric mobility refers to the use of electric vehicles.
The video conference session which lasted around 25 minutes was attended by both Anwar, Musk, as well as Lauren Dreyer who is senior director of Starlink Business Operations at SpaceX; Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz; and Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
On March 1, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) announced US-based Tesla's decision to establish its presence in Malaysia by setting up a head office, Tesla Experience and Service centres and a supercharger network here, adding that this is expected to create better-paying jobs for Malaysians and increase participation of local companies in Tesla's ecosystem.
On March 1, MITI also announced its approval of Tesla's application to import battery electric vehicles into Malaysia.
Tengku Zafrul on March 6 said Tesla's decision to invest in Malaysia was based on the country's strong electrical and electronics (E&E) industry, with the country being a big part of Tesla's supply chain. Malaysia is the seventh largest producer in the E&E and semiconductor sector which provides parts for the manufacturing of electric vehicles.
On April 19, Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia's requirements to Tesla include the installation of at least 50 superchargers — to charge electric cars — within three years and with at least 30 per cent of these to be usable by other brands.
Tesla had been reported as early as April to have started recruitment for several job positions in Malaysia.
Tesla is set to officially launch in Malaysia on July 20 and has unveiled its official price listing for the Tesla Model Y car which will be sold in Malaysia from RM199,000 onwards.
