Maya Karin petitions to PM Najib Razak to bring back tax exemptions for hybrids/EVs sold in Malaysia

Maya Karin tax exemption

The Malaysian government introduced a tax exemption for hybrid and electric vehicles sold in the country in 2011. However, in 2014, all fully imported (CBU) hybrid and electric vehicles no longer benefit from the exemption, while locally-assembled (CKD) hybrids and EVs continued to enjoy the tax breaks. Malaysian actress Maya Karin is looking to reintroduce those tax exemptions via a petition which you can find (and sign) here.

The petition is directed straight at the Government, specifically, Datuk Sri Najib Razak, prime minister of Malaysia. She reasons the importance of green cars to reduce air pollution that adversely affect our health and environment. She even recalls the rise of the fossil fuel-powered cars and the fall of the electric car, resulting from the discovery of highly subsidised oil in the United States and Henry Ford’s highly affordable Ford Model T in 1908.

She also points out the affordability of running an EV here in Malaysia, claiming that it is cheaper to charge an EV with electricity such as the Nissan Leaf at RM7 for every 100 km distance traveled, compared to RM22 for a petrol car. She also cites the convenience of an EV, where one can charge the Leaf at home while they’re asleep.

Focusing on the policy itself, she points out the irony of it, stating “the irony of this policy is that EVs today have to be imported because with our current demand, there is no reason to locally assemble an electric car which has no engine and transmission parts. But yet the Government is giving the Mercedes S 400 hybrid, which normally costs RM880,000, a RM300,000 tax saving for small group of rich people to buy them.”

Other CBU hybrids/EVs that are mentioned include the Renault Zoe that could be priced at RM130,000 instead of RM200,000, Nissan Leaf (RM150,000 instead of RM190,000) and a Tesla Model S (RM350,000 instead of RM550,000).

The petition also highlights the economic benefit for the country that saw a massive spike of hybrid car sales in Malaysia, soaring to 8,403 units in 2011 and almost doubling to 15,355 units in 2012. She asks, “why stop a policy that has such a profound impact towards nation building and meeting our national environmental objectives by year 2020?”

She is urging for the support of fellow Malaysians who share her sentiment on the issue of tax exemptions of hybrid and EVs in Malaysia. The target for the petition is to obtain 100,000 signatures, and so far, it stands at 388 supporters. Malaysians, are you supportive of Maya Karin’s petition? What are your thoughts on the matter?

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • azhar on Jan 08, 2016 at 10:01 am

    she should be our minister..compare her words with our minister is like comparing a donkey with a human

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 110 Thumb down 4
    • Mozilla Chrome on Jan 08, 2016 at 10:48 am

      I am all for the green tech and zero emission vehicles for daily use. But most Msians still can’t afford to buy cheapest hybrids/EVs (Eg Jazz hybrid 90k /Renault Zoe 130k). We should raise our GDP first and educate people as there is no point having 1st class facility when the people have 3rd world class mentality.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 0
    • TeslaOwner on Jan 08, 2016 at 11:12 am

      You calling her a donkey? Hmm…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 35
      • Apa Maya buat dengan TNB? on Jan 08, 2016 at 11:27 am

        Maya fails to realise electric in Malaysia is one of the highest in the world. This is because crony TNB has to service unfair IPP contracts that benefit UMNO cronies.

        Most houses in Malaysia, in KL at least, with a family of four, have bills like RM400 a month. In countries like Australia and UK, people pay 1/8 th price of what we pay in Malaysia.

        Large family houses in Australia pay only AUD50 per month on electricity bills. Without converting, this is like paying RM50 per month for your house.

        So, Maya fails to realise, besides the tax, the crony practice of servicing the unfair contract IPPs cannot give us Malaysians realistic figures of cheap electric

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 30
        • Thats bullshit, I paud around 400AUD a month in melbourne and if its in the summer or winter it would exceed 1000AUD

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 2
      • sepul on Jan 08, 2016 at 12:03 pm

        That is funny. Very funny!!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • KonkeyDong on Jan 08, 2016 at 11:22 am

      Apa? I tak suka kari ayam.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
    • George Abdul on Jan 08, 2016 at 12:20 pm

      Is better to support Maya then ugly BN ministry government !!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 1
  • taxi driver on Jan 08, 2016 at 10:03 am

    Petrol station operator please support also cool?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
    • EVguy on Jan 08, 2016 at 10:24 am

      yes petrol station should also support. they can install charger at station, bill driver for charging while makan lah. Still can make money what.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 31 Thumb down 0
    • Where is Najib's Promise Maya? on Jan 08, 2016 at 11:13 am

      The question Maya Karin must be asking is, besides tax exemptions for Hybrids, where is Najib’s promise?

      Where is Najib’s promise? Najib promised 30 million people 2 years ago before the election that he would reduce car prices by 30 percent.

      He said the 30 million people need not worry because BN always kept their word and never mungkir janji. He said if people voted for BN, he was 100% sure to reduce car prices by 30 percent.

      Najib, in his speech told people that BN knew how much people suffered paying for their cars and he felt very sorry for the people, thus, he was sure to reduce car prices by 30%.
      It is a well know fact, that we Malaysians are paying 3x the global prices of cars. And double whammy, not only we pay 3x the global prices of cars, our cars are stripped down so bad, it hardly lacks any safety features. Even our top D segment cars each have about 20 less safety features than the same car costing 3 times less overseas. For example, a 10 airbag Toyota Camry CBU in the US cost US$22,000. In Malaysia, this cost RM180k. And loads of safety spec taken out. For example Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and many others. Camry Hybrid in the US is US26,000. Come to Malaysia, should be tax free. CKD it using Malaysian parts should be even cheaper. But here sell RM175k

      Now, what happened Najib? Where is your promise?

      Najib also said that by 2020, we would become high income nation. He said our GDP per Capita would be US$48,000. That would mean, per month, the average Malaysian would be earning US$4000 (RM18,000) per month.

      Raja Nazrin, Sultan of Perak said this was pure lies. He said it is an utter lie because 78% all EPF contributors are earning RM1200 and below.

      Do you see the average Malaysian earning RM18k per month by 2020?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 8
  • Pakcik on Jan 08, 2016 at 10:08 am

    For Maya Karin, i’ll sign it

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 66 Thumb down 1
    • wad 4 on Jan 08, 2016 at 2:24 pm

      Cakap like this, maya karin 4, i sain

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
    • Malam Jumaat on Jan 10, 2016 at 6:07 pm

      This is haram. Where is her hijab/tudung?? This is unacceptable in a country that has halal shopping carts.. And what’s with the skimpy outfits.. I can’t control myself if I can see the skin on her arms. Already I thinking of malam jumaat and its only Sunday.. I strongly urge Paultan to remove this picture.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 7
  • dodgeviper88 on Jan 08, 2016 at 10:14 am

    Go further, ask him to just resign la

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 32 Thumb down 3
  • Richard on Jan 08, 2016 at 10:16 am

    Yes I support Maya

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 1
  • Janji najix tak ditunaikan,penipu Rakyat! on Jan 08, 2016 at 10:17 am

    She should spend a night together with PM to find out more and perhaps after a night spend with PM, tml onward things will be change oled. I trust PM still keras abt her if she willing to

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 23
  • skatax on Jan 08, 2016 at 10:19 am

    Hahaha kakak maya you so funny, now the oil price at usd 34/barrel, gov no longer getting good income from petronas. Yet you still dream on asking for tax exemption? Harga kangkung pun dulu turun skrg sudah naik. And whats your sudden deal on getting an haibrid/ev car anyway?

    my advice: get a mx-5 and enjoy your life while you still can. In coming future when KL is gazetted as public transport zone only you will regret driving around in ev. Even the expensive ev tesla have fire problems.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 53
  • Janji najix tak ditunaikan,penipu Rakyat! on Jan 08, 2016 at 10:19 am

    My advise to Maya, pls serve PM a night with BJ and a hardcore service, i am sure tml things will be change.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 57
    • Maya Pls Call Ziana Zain on Jan 08, 2016 at 12:00 pm

      Do call Ziana Zain. Najib will be so happy again. He will infact give tax free for all cars.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2
  • civic_EK on Jan 08, 2016 at 10:26 am

    kak Ros for sure jealous ahahaha

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 30 Thumb down 2
  • Bobby (Member) on Jan 08, 2016 at 10:26 am

    Even if technology were developed to charge a 310-mile car in 12 minutes, the Toyota executive Yoshikazu Tanaka said, it would probably end up “using up electricity required to power 1,000 houses.”

    In other words, battery-powered cars will hog all of the electricity. Mass use of fast charging would overwhelm the grid, he said.

    If Tanaka is right, he is chief engineer for Mirai FCV, the more EV cars we have in Malaysia, the more you and I will pay for electricity bill for home use appliances. This trade off from a few thousands EV shits is stupid for the whole country. Stupid people are dangerous all the time and no one will find them amusing some of the time, not the least. FCV is the way to go, not EV! Use your head and not your heart!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 18
  • omegle on Jan 08, 2016 at 10:28 am

    If tesla could be priced at 350k, no doubt it will eat up mercedes/bmw/audi sales here. But the zoe and leaf (130k,150k)are still too expensive for people to buy. Even if people could afford it, they would go for larger size cars at that price.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 1
  • TopsyBoXyTurvy on Jan 08, 2016 at 10:34 am

    At first i thought she petitions to get rid of najib..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 31 Thumb down 1
  • MikeWong on Jan 08, 2016 at 10:35 am

    Salute to this woman that has such guts and balls to voice to the biggest prick in Malaysia. Unlike some well-known sportsman and male celebrities…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 2
  • Maya I support you, I think we need more artist such as neelofa, rozita and beutiful ladies… najib sure listen.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
  • tokmoh. on Jan 08, 2016 at 10:38 am

    Ya la, butul juga.

    Our govt where got kesah environment. Bauxite so bad in Kuantan also still can blame it on sireh. Kek.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 2
  • Mau Karin on Jan 08, 2016 at 10:39 am

    KJ is behind this isn’t he

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 6
  • This should be the way, more civilize way to approach
    Not Bersih 1234 zaman batu

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 9
    • Kenneth Fook on Jan 08, 2016 at 5:19 pm

      Absolutely true. Just like the uncontrollable toll hikes. Support MC on yr statement. Zaman sekarang pay more toll and cost of living higher ady. Why live in zaman batu where everything are priced so low.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Kenneth Fook on Jan 08, 2016 at 10:44 am

    We dont need another pretty celebrity dissapearing.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  • tesla central on Jan 08, 2016 at 10:55 am

    Hong kong is flooded with tesla now..tax free on hong kong ,250k myr can get new car p70d,7000 unit tesla register at hk…but our gorverment,sapu tesla sendiri and make money….haizzzz,third minded country brain

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • Shaun on Jan 08, 2016 at 11:03 am

    Paul, is the a link to sign the petition? Or just comment here? I support

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • drMpower on Jan 08, 2016 at 11:05 am

    Maya
    For the mercedes, u should ask more exemption. Lets say 800,000rm tax break. So that bottom millions can start practising green motoring.

    Thanks.

    Ps- i am available weekends at XOYO and maya u are absolutely welcomed

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • joule on Jan 08, 2016 at 11:14 am

    why they call her as ‘Karin’?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Danny on Jan 08, 2016 at 11:25 am

    No need petition lah, just work smart and get rich. After that, can start to donate rm2.6bil :-D

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
  • Ponggiri Ponggiri on Jan 08, 2016 at 11:25 am

    Maya Current= Electric Power

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
  • Oh mak lu cina on Jan 08, 2016 at 11:27 am

    Oh while at it, it should be AP exempted too. After having zero duty, AP cost still make up the big chunk of selling price.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Neutral on Jan 08, 2016 at 11:36 am

    Ahh….if only that old fart actually listens. Say want to improve our country, support environmental friendliness, I rather believe in flying pigs.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • Enjai la on Jan 08, 2016 at 11:45 am

    Ni bukan nak dpt tax exemptions instead nak maen tu… Dpt duet n jadi isteri terbaru…apa lagi… Enjai la!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • Sam "Hailat" Loo on Jan 08, 2016 at 12:40 pm

    Habis lar Maya Karin…! She had just insulted the FLOM…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • azrai on Jan 08, 2016 at 12:55 pm

    If Axia or Saga exempted from excise duty, I agree then. Tax exemption for super luxury car? Forget it.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Jackson on Jan 08, 2016 at 1:12 pm

    Agree 100%

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • seancorr (Member) on Jan 08, 2016 at 2:50 pm

    I wouldn’t be surprised if Najib accepts her proposal – it’s called free PR

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • Tan Poh Lee on Jan 08, 2016 at 4:35 pm

    I support Maya Karin’s anything. HE HE HE!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Shaekey on Jan 08, 2016 at 5:32 pm

    She started the petition 2 months ago. 1 month ago she had 100 supporters. However just 5 hours ago (Now about 5:30pm 08/01/16), she made another 750 supporters. The power of paultan.org!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • hasbullah on Jan 08, 2016 at 5:44 pm

    Are we entirely sure that EV’s are more environmentally friendly than fuel? Although the car itself may produce less emissions, the damage to the environment is already done during the lithium mining stage. The batteries will probably end up in a landfill somewhere too after use.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
    • ECOmodepassion on Jan 12, 2016 at 12:31 am

      EV will always be more environmentally friendly even if the electricity used are coming from coal power plan. The actual percentage of lithium used in the battery pack are low & even after 10 years of usage, the battery pack can still be reused for other beneficial purposes. More carbon emission were released during extracting oil, refining oil & transporting the fuel to petrol stations (from large diesel tankers like ships & than diesel lorry tankers to the petrol stations, etc). Imagine and calculate the pollution caused by just distributing the fuel.

      Electric is everywhere, readily available & domestic tariff is actually cheaper than petrol. I can drive 125km with just RM4.14 worth of electricity. If you use 2.2378 liters of petrol (equivalent to RM4.14 of fuel), how far can you drive? Electric motors are much more efficient than petrol/Diesel engines.

      Please sign the petition and help to viral it. When critical mass adoption of EV booms, we will enjoy cleaner breathable air.

      Watch this video to further understand that why EV is always much more cleaner than petrol/diesel cars http://youtu.be/K9m9WDxmSN8

      facebook.com/ecomodepassion

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Minister 3.85 on Jan 08, 2016 at 9:18 pm

    getting cheap publicity lah…..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • hadi75 on Jan 11, 2016 at 12:18 am

    Only in malaysia….when cars are expensive you complain…..when there are people starting something to reduce prices…also you bising…no wonder malaysians always kena tipu with their menteris….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • azrai on Jan 11, 2016 at 8:46 am

    Cannot buy car use bicycle la…Tribute tu HM dan AM.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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