AHMAD ZAHID FLAGS OFF ASEAN UNITY DRIVE 2025 IN JAKARTA

JAKARTA, April 22 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 (AUD 2025) reflects Malaysia’s strong commitment to fostering regional integration, promoting sustainable mobility and advancing innovation across Southeast Asia, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Officiating the flag-off ceremony here today, he said the convoy, led by the Proton e.MAS 7 across nine ASEAN countries, was more than a physical expedition.

“It is a powerful statement of our collective ambition to integrate sustainability, innovation and regional cooperation into the future of mobility,” he said in a statement.

The flag-off ceremony, held at the Embassy of Malaysia in Jakarta, was also attended by ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Ambassador of Malaysia to Indonesia Datuk Syed Md Hasrin Tengku Hussin and Permanent Representative of Malaysia to ASEAN Sarah Al Bakri Devadason.

Organised by the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) with the support of the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), the landmark journey will mark the debut of the Proton e.MAS, featuring six electric vehicles alongside four Proton X series models traversing the ASEAN region.

The convoy will go on a remarkable 9,000-kilometre journey via two routes, with the northern route starting in Hanoi, Vietnam and passing through Laos, Cambodia and Thailand before reaching Malaysia, while the southern route begins in Manila, the Philippines, and travelling through Sabah, Brunei, Sarawak, Indonesia and Singapore before arriving in Malaysia.

Ahmad Zahid believes that this initiative not only highlights Malaysia’s growing leadership in the electric vehicle and automotive innovation space, but also reflects the country's broader vision for a resilient and forward-looking ASEAN.

“I look forward to seeing the positive impact this journey will inspire across the region,” he added.

As the convoy moves on to its next destination in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, it will continue engaging with stakeholders, governments and communities across ASEAN, reinforcing people-to-people connections and strengthening the shared aspirations for inclusive development.

Their presence, Ahmad Zahid added, reflects the shared regional spirit and the continued nurturing of the close diplomatic ties, especially as Malaysia prepares to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship this year.

-- BERNAMA