Meet draws over 500 amazing cars

Kota Kinabalu: Over 500 cars ranging from the rare to the sleek and powerful assembled at the 2nd Borneo Imports Meet at Aeropod Commercial Square, here, Saturday.State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the participation of over 580 enthusiasts from all over of Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, Hong Kong and Japan in the three-day event was an achievement.

"Such event will no doubt have a good impact and awareness in showcasing Sabah as the centre of excellence when it comes to cars and car accessories.

"It is wonderful to witness a lively and colourful event filled with various activities such as workshops, talks, games, contests, lucky draws and music performances by our home-grown talent DJ Rachel B and DJ Jerone Paul," he said when officiating the event, here, Saturday.

Hajiji said the automotive industry in Malaysia consisted of 27 vehicle producers and over 640 component manufacturers.

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"The Malaysian automotive industry is the third largest in South East Asia and 23rd largest in the world, with an annual production of over 500,000 vehicles," he said.

He also said the automotive industry contributed four per cent or RM40 billion to Malaysia's GDP and employs a workforce of over 700,000.

"The automotive industry in Malaysia traces its origin back to the British Malayan colonial era.

The automotive industry in post-Independence Malaysia was established in 1967 to spur national industrialisation.

"Since then, the Malaysian Government has offered various incentives to encourage the local assembly of vehicles and manufacturing of automobile components," he said.

Hajiji said in 1983, the Malaysian Government became directly involved in the automotive industry through the establishment of national car company Proton, followed by Perodua in 1993.

For the past decade, the Government had sought to liberalise the domestic automotive industry through free-trade agreements, privatisation and harmonisation of UN regulations. However, the process takes time, bearing in mind the interests of the national car industry.

"The automotive industry in Malaysia serves domestic demand and only several thousand Completely Built-Up (CBU) vehicles are exported annually.

"Exports of Malaysian-made parts and components have nonetheless grown significantly in the last decade, contributing over RM11 billion to Malaysia's GDP in 2016."

Meanwhile, Organising Chairman Alan Fung said visitors thronged the event since it was kicked off on Friday, as people are now more aware on the importance of taking care of their prized car possession.

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"This is why Borneo Imports Meet isn't just a gathering for the people to showcase their cars but to also educate the people more on car knowledge such as properly maintaining a car, car safety, do's and don'ts on car accessories and many more.

"A car is not just a form of transportation but also a work of art. So it is not only important to feature amazing cars and craftsman that maintain, restore and enhance performance but also to bring together all of the individuals and organisations that participate in enhancing the car experience," he said. - Locksley Ng

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