Anthony Loke Launches MCVE 2026, Highlights Safety and EV Shift
May 22,2026
Transport Minister Announces EV Task Force to Accelerate Truck Adoption
The minister opened his remarks by acknowledging that the transport industry in Malaysia is not immune to the effects of the geopolitical tension in the Middle East, saying, “Geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt trade and supply chains, and as the ministry responsible for this industry, we are committed to working alongside you to emerge from this situation stronger.”
Loke then reminded the importance of safety and profitability going hand-in-hand. He described the two matters as “not mutually exclusive” and said that the Ministry of Transport (MOT), particularly over the past year, has made road safety a priority with the speed limitations device (SLD) mandate and the enforcement against overloading.
“These are meant to send a strong message that safety cannot be compromised,” Loke reiterated.
On vehicle standards, Loke called on manufacturers to develop trucks that are fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly, and equipped with better safety features. He noted that these improvements would benefit operators’ bottom lines as much as they would public safety.
A significant portion of the minister’s address focused on the path to electrifying the commercial vehicle sector. Loke realised that EV truck adoption in Malaysia is still in its very early stages, mainly due to the high cost of acquiring such vehicles. However, he added that the MOT is currently working on accelerating the adoption by creating an EV task force. According to Loke, the government’s diesel subsidy bill, which currently runs at RM2.5 billion per month, is the key driver behind the push.
“Long term, a gradual transition towards EV trucks is necessary, not just to achieve our net zero target by 2050, but also to reduce the burden on the government,” he explained.
Loke also highlighted telematics as the ministry’s next major focus, expressing his hope that fleet operators would voluntarily adopt driver-monitoring systems to improve road safety rather than await a government mandate. “I hope that we do not have to use the stick all the time. We hope to use carrots more to encourage so that industries can adopt willingly and happily. We hope that the market, the industry, can convince your customers, can convince the operators, that the features that we are introducing can bring tangible benefits to the operators,” he said.
Closing his remarks, Loke encouraged the industry to engage openly with the ministry when faced with any policy issue. He also commended MCVE as a valuable platform for the commercial vehicle sector.
MCVE 2026 runs from May 14 to 16, with exhibitors such as Angka-Tan Motor, JAC, and Hap Seng Trucks Distribution showcasing their latest lineups.
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