Latest news with #Rezal
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Repurposing ICE cars to EVs
KUALA LUMPUR: Converting internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles into electric vehicles (EVs) could provide Malaysia with a powerful alternative path to green mobility while unlocking thousands of skilled jobs across the automotive ecosystem. NanoMalaysia Bhd chief executive officer Dr. Rezal Khairi Ahmad said the retrofitting approach, spearheaded under the company's Revive programme, presents a compelling case for affordability, socio-economic impact and technological self-reliance. "Research has done it and has proven time and time again that the cost of conversion is cheaper. "It provides an alternative and more cost-effective path to electrification and ownership, 60 per cent of that is buying a new, fully assembled, manufactured car. He said this greatly reduces the entry barrier for ordinary Malaysians looking to switch to EVs, especially as current prices remain unaffordable for ma Rather than relying solely on the sale of fully manufactured EVs, NanoMalaysia's strategy targets the vast number of older, structurally sound ICE vehicles on the road. By removing the engine and fuel tank and replacing them with an electric motor and battery system, these vehicles can be revived and repurposed to operate on clean energy. "When you allow for conversion to take place, for example, in Malaysia, it allows the workforce in Malaysia to participate in that migration from the traditional car to EV. "This creates job opportunities for technicians, mechanics and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) graduates. It also creates jobs for the future, which allow for them to not become just drivers of EVs, but they can actually change and convert. "It will provide employment opportunities, skills and hands-on opportunities for those who are pretty much hands-on," Rezal said in an exclusive interview. He said the process would demand new skill sets in battery installation, wiring, electric motor integration and system diagnostics, positioning Malaysia to develop a new class of green-collar workers. Yielding Results The Revive programme, which catalysed the development of a comprehensive EV conversion white paper, is yielding results. NanoMalaysia said it had converted two buses under the eMERGE initiative, funded by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and is working to finalise road certification with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and Transport Ministry. "That is an example of how we align to our Revive goal, which allows us to validate and demonstrate the conversion from diesel engine to EV. We have those two buses donated from Prasarana," said Rezal. Rezal said several stakeholders are working together to establish standards and safety protocols to ensure Malaysia aligns with global best practices. "At present, there are no universal standards for EV conversions. Each country, whether Thailand, Indonesia, the US, UK or China, has developed its own version of standards and complies accordingly. "One thing is certain: we must ensure electrical safety. All components must be properly insulated, and passengers must be fully protected from any electrical systems. "In the Malaysian context, we also have to consider challenges like flooding. Whatever we develop must be flood-resistant. These are among the key factors we need to localise," he said. Despite technical progress, Rezal said full-scale deployment hinges on regulatory green lights. "We have submitted the white paper, proven the technology and engaged stakeholders. Now we are waiting for JPJ and the Transport Ministry to finalise approval to make conversions road-legal," he added. Once legalised, insurance companies will also need to come on board to support vehicle coverage and ensure public confidence in safety standards. Rezal said the model aligns with Malaysia's broader green agenda, including commitments under COP26 to reduce carbon intensity by 45 per cent by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Support System To support the transition, NanoMalaysia is pushing for public-private partnerships and potential incentives, similar to what Indonesia has done, to encourage adoption. "If conversion kits are incentivised, it would help accelerate the shift. The government has a role to play here," he said. Globally, countries like Japan, France and Kenya have already embraced EV conversions as a viable strategy. Thailand and Indonesia have also legalised retrofitting, showing how developing nations can leapfrog into the EV space without heavy reliance on imported, fully-built EVs. Rezal explained that in Kenya, where there is strong support for EV retrofitting, studies have shown that the total cost of owning and operating a converted EV, from diesel or petrol to electric, is about US$0.25 per kilometre for four-wheelers. In comparison, running a newly-purchased EV costs around US$0.30 per kilometer, giving retrofitted vehicles a five-cent advantage. He added that countries like the United States have legalised EV conversions, but primarily for niche applications driven by private investment. So while it is permitted, it remains limited in scope. "Japan has officially legislated EV conversions, and even original equipment manufacturers like Toyota now offer ready-made kits that can be purchased off the shelf. "Instead of buying a brand-new EV from Toyota or Honda, consumers can opt for these kits to convert their existing vehicles. This approach is seen as a key pillar in the broader push for vehicle electrification," he said. Rezal explained that the philosophy behind this is rooted in the 'people, planet, profit' framework, ensuring not just profitability, but also accessibility. "France has also adopted this approach, and among our regional neighbours, Indonesia and Thailand have already begun implementing similar initiatives. In Malaysia, we are pushing forward aggressively because we see a real opportunity to lead in this space." However, Rezal said Malaysia has a competitive edge in terms of technology. "Other countries are buying components entirely from China. In our case, we are building Malaysian-made batteries, electronics and cooling systems. We may still import some motors, but we are pushing for localisation across the board," he said. This opens doors not only for domestic market transformation but also for export opportunities. "We hope our kits, built with local components, can be sold to other Asean countries and potentially beyond. But first, we must focus on making it work here in Malaysia," he added.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
TRW given 48 hours to settle unpaid salaries of players and coaches
KELANTAN football club The Real Warriors (TRW) has been given two days to settle unpaid salaries for nearly 20 players and coaches from last season. Former head coach Rezal Zambery Yahya stated the ultimatum followed three rejected settlement offers deemed unfair by the affected staff. Rezal criticised TRW's proposals, which included halving monthly salaries, match fees of RM500 to RM1,000, or instalments of RM200 monthly until debts are cleared. 'These offers are unreasonable. We are not buying appliances on instalment. We've submitted counter-proposals and expect a decision by Tuesday,' he said during a press conference. He also highlighted disparities in TRW's payments, noting imported players received salaries to avoid FIFA sanctions while local players remained unpaid despite fulfilling commitments. Multiple discussions since February failed to yield resolutions, prompting plans to escalate the matter to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Status Committee if deadlines are missed. Rezal further disclosed unresolved personal debts by KDN FC president Rozi Muhammad, who allegedly owes hundreds of thousands ringgit used to support the club last season. 'I sourced funds to assist the team during crises. Now lenders are pursuing me. Rozi must settle these debts pending since September,' he added. – Bernama
Barnama
3 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
TRW Given Two Days To Settle Salary Arrears Of Players, Coaches
KOTA BHARU, July 13 (Bernama) -- Kelantan, The Real Warriors (TRW) have been given two days until Tuesday to resolve the issue of salary arrears of nearly 20 players and the team's coaches for last season. Former TRW head coach, Rezal Zambery Yahya said the decision was made after three settlement offers previously submitted by TRW management were considered biased and unprofessional. "The three offers included a half-salary cut every month, a payment between RM500 and RM1,000 for each match, or an instalment payment of RM200 per month until the debt is settled. bootstrap slideshow "For us, the offer does not make sense. We are not a water purifier that pays RM200 per month for 10 years. So we have put forward several counter-offers and given them until Tuesday to decide,' he said at a press conference here, today. Rezal also questioned TRW's action of continuing to pay the salaries of imported players to avoid transfer restrictions by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), while local players who train and play until the end of the season continue to be mistreated. He said several series of discussions had been held before but the TRW management was seen not serious about resolving the salary arrears since February to April. If TRW still fails to settle the arrears within the specified period, Rezal said an official complaint would be submitted to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Status Committee for further action. Meanwhile, Rezal also revealed that KDN FC president Rozi Muhammad had still not settled his personal debt amounting to nearly hundreds of thousands of ringgit which was used to assist the club's management last season, including paying players' salaries. 'When the team was facing financial problems, I was looking for money to help the team. "Now people are chasing me to pay the loan. I urge him to take responsibility for settling the debt which has been outstanding since September last year," he said.
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
The Real Warriors given two days to settle salary arrears of players, coaches
KOTA BHARU: Kelantan, The Real Warriors have been given two days until tomorrow to resolve the issue of salary arrears of nearly 20 players and the team's coaches for last season. Former Kelantan head coach, Rezal Zambery Yahya said the decision was made after three settlement offers previously submitted by the management were considered biased and unprofessional. "The three offers included a half-salary cut every month, a payment between RM500 and RM1,000 for each match, or an instalment payment of RM200 per month until the debt is settled. "For us, the offer does not make sense. We are not a water purifier that pays RM200 per month for 10 years. So we have put forward several counter-offers and given them until Tuesday to decide,' he said at a press conference here on Sunday (July 13). Rezal also questioned Kelantan's action of continuing to pay the salaries of imported players to avoid transfer restrictions by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), while local players who train and play until the end of the season continue to be mistreated. He said several series of discussions had been held before but the management were seen not serious about resolving the salary arrears since February to April. If they still fail to settle the arrears within the specified period, Rezal said an official complaint would be submitted to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) status committee for further action. Meanwhile, Rezal also revealed that Kelantan FC president Rozi Muhammad had still not settled his personal debt amounting to nearly hundreds of thousands of ringgit which was used to assist the club's management last season, including paying players' salaries. "When the team was facing financial problems, I was looking for money to help the team. "Now people are chasing me to pay the loan. I urge him to take responsibility for settling the debt which has been outstanding since September last year," he said. - Bernama
The Star
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Locals must take advantage with inclusion of more foreigners in league
PETALING JAYA: It's time for the local footballers to rise up. Former national footballer Rezal Zambery Yahya believes the growing competition for places in the starting eleven is a healthy and much-needed development for Malaysian football. He views the increase in foreign player quotas for clubs in the upcoming Super League season, coupled with the recent inclusion of five heritage players in the Harimau Malaya squad, as a catalyst for local players to rise to the challenge and not shy away from it. 'This is the current trend in football,' said Rezal, who previously coached Kelantan. 'If players want to remain competitive, they must possess strong self-discipline, good attitude and character, a positive mindset, and most importantly, the determination to train harder and more consistently.' Rezal stressed that the modern game demands more than just raw talent. Local players need to evolve to stay relevant and contribute meaningfully to both the club and the country. 'If this happens, it won't just lead to personal growth. 'Teams will improve, and the national setup will benefit instantly from that ripple effect,' he said. He also underlined the importance of cultivating a culture of healthy competition from the grassroots level, so that players are always mentally prepared when opportunities arise. 'Local players need to wake up and realise that nothing comes easy. 'Everyone has to fight for their spot, and that's the only way to bring out the best in themselves,' he added. With the league becoming increasingly demanding and emerging talents making a mark, Rezal remains optimistic about Malaysia's footballing direction. He believes that with the right mindset and collective effort, the national game is entering a promising and exciting phase.
