CUCKOO OR NOT, REDZUAN PROMISES KL-PENANG IN 1 HOUR ON HIS FLYING CAR – WHILE KHAIRY LEAVES PARLIAMENT IN STITCHES BY ASKING FOR ‘SPECIFIC DATE WHEN MALAYSIANS CAN SEE THEIR MINISTER ON A FLYING VEHICLE’

 Khairy Jamaluddin speaks at the 'Malaysia Strategic Financial Outlook Forum 2019' at Sunway Resort & Spa Hotel in Petaling Jaya. AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR – Khairy Jamaluddin (pic) had the Dewan Rakyat in stitches when he said he was glad to have lived to see his dream of “flying cars”.

Khairy (BN-Rembau), said when Vision 2020 was introduced, he was only 15 years old and imagined there would be flying cars by then.

“I would like to congratulate the Minister, at least the dream to see flying cars will not be delayed until the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 (SPV 2030).

“My question is, the ministry stated that such project will be spurred by the private sector without the involvement of government finances, as it will only act as a facilitator. What are the initiatives to be the facilitator for the industry?

“I would also like to know what are the long-term plans to develop the industry so Malaysia will have a competitive advantage in the air mobility industry.

“Most importantly, what is the specific date for Malaysians to see our Minister fly on a flying vehicle,” he asked Enterpreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat.

In response, Redzuan said that such efforts would be continuous, in line with the latest technology and innovation around the world.

“Whatever efforts made will be made to ensure it will go smoothly and to ensure that one day, insyallah, I will be able to fly in a flying vehicle.

“This will also bring a spin-off effect in terms of business development itself,” said Mohd Redzuan, who is popularly known as Pak Wan.

He added there were already initial discussions among the local players in the private sector with high technology providers to pave way for travellers “to travel to Penang within an hour”.

“I am not saying that it will immediately happen, but there are discussions to ensure such matter could be realised by the year 2020,” added Mohd Redzuan.

To the initial question, he said that the development of the prototype for the air mobility vehicle submitted to the Ministry, were currently being developed and expected to be launched by the end of 2019.

“The National Development Council on December 2018, identified Cyberjaya as the test-bed platform for such technology including autonomous, drone and air mobility. The testbed platform is to allow a conducive ecosystem for the development of air mobility industry in Malaysia,” he said.

ANN

KL-Penang in an hour, wait for flying car, says Redzuan

KUALA LUMPUR – Minister Redzuan Yusof has again promoted the “flying car” project, saying it can cut short travel time from Kuala Lumpur to Penang to just one hour instead of four hours by road.

The entrepreneur development minister told Dewan Rakyat today that discussions were ongoing with high technology providers, adding that the air mobility project could take off as early as next year.

Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) said as a teenager, he had imagined the sight of “flying cars” when Vision 2020 was first introduced.

“At least it is not being postponed to Shared Prosperity 2030. You are the only one fulfilling the visions of 2020,” he quipped, drawing laughter from the floor.

Khairy had earlier asked on the extent of the readiness of the ecosystem needed to support the flying car industry.

Redhuan said a prototype of the car would be launched end of this year, with the cost to be borne by the private sector.

He said the project would push for the development of artificial intelligence, big data and Internet of Things.

The flying car prototype was supposed to be unveiled to the public this month.

Yesterday, Redzuan said there had been hiccups in completing the prototype due to evolving technologies which required adaptation.

Speaking to reporters later at the Parliament lobby, Redzuan said the ministry is in talks with a leading learning institution in Europe to bring in newer technology for the flying car project.

“There are two technologies we are looking at. One of them is from a leading institution of higher learning in Europe. We are negotiating to bring the technology here,” he said.

He said it may have high-end components produced from the Lynas plant in Kuantan.

He said the technology was already being developed in Europe and they were discussing if it was possible to bring it to Malaysia.

“They may even have their inaugural flight in the third quarter of next year.”

Redzuan said a private enterprise had already designed the first drone with a payload of 300kg.

He said the government was also working on establishing the legal framework for the air mobility industry but this may take some time.

– FMT