Shifting gears: Malaysia bets on indigenous plant for EV future

Malaysia was once a leader in Southeast Asia’s automotive sector, even producing the region’s first national car. But in recent years, it has struggled to keep pace with neighbours like Thailand and Indonesia, who are rapidly advancing in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Now, Malaysia is turning to an unlikely source – an indigenous plant – as it looks to shift gears and carve out a place in the global EV supply chain. Patrick Fok reports.