GREEN CARS FOR MELAKA STATE EXCO MEMBERS

Thursday March 17, 2011

State exco set for hybrid cars

MALACCA: Malacca state exco members and top officials could soon be cruising in eco-friendly hybrid cars.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said that the state had received a proposal from Honda to change its current fleet to cars using green technology.

“Honda is offering us a good deal and we are now waiting for the green light from the Federal Government,” he said after announcing new portfolios for the state executive council yesterday.

“We have also assessed the proposal by Proton on similar cars and will leave it to the Federal Government to decide.”

Mohd Ali has created a new portfolio – Green Technology – that comes under his purview.

It is learnt that the state government was offered Honda’s 2011 Insight hybrid model as state official cars.

Mohd Ali said that the state government was contemplating only electric-powered taxis and buses in the state to reduce smoke emissions and to create a greener Malacca.

“We are looking at the blueprints submitted by Proton and a heavy vehicle manufacturer from China to introduce electric taxis and buses in the state. The change will be carried out in stages,” he said.

Mohd Ali added he would also pursue plans to have more government department buildings and private homes in the state to use solar power panels for their energy supply.

“Malacca will move forward progressively to adopt green technology in urban and community development,” he said.

On the exco reshuffle, Mohd Ali said he has given key portfolios to the MCA and MIC representatives.

State MCA chief Datuk Gan Tian Loo, who previously chaired the Public Works and Infrastructure committee, now helms the Education, Youth and Sports committee to enable him to bring about a paradigm change in universities, secondary and primary schools in the state.

State MIC chief Datuk R. Perumal, formerly in charge of Transport, Information and Consumerism, has been given the Urban Development and Agriculture committee to turn Malacca into a major dairy producer, Mohd Ali said.

He also picked newly appointed exco man Datuk Ghazale Ahmad as chairman of the Transport, Information, Unity and Consumerism committee.

All changes will take effect from April 1.