In a progressive step toward strengthening sustainable development and promoting green tourism in Perak, Casuarina Meru Sdn. Bhd. (CMSB), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Perak Corporation Berhad under the Perak State Development Corporation (PKNPk), has signed a strategic partnership with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to install electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities at Hotel Casuarina@Meru.
This collaboration was formalised through a Document Exchange Ceremony, underscoring the active involvement of both public and private sectors in accelerating the implementation of low-carbon mobility infrastructure, aligned with the Perak Sejahtera 2030 vision. The event took place at the Casuarina Convention Centre and was officiated by the Menteri Besar of Perak, YAB Dato’ Seri Saarani bin Mohamad. Also present were YB Teh Kok Lim, Chairman of the State Committee on Science, Environment and Green Technology; Datuk Ir. Megat Jalaluddin Megat Hassan, President and CEO of TNB; Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak, CEO of PKNPk; En. Rosmin Mohamed, Group CEO of Perak Corporation Berhad; Dato’ Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin, Chairman of Casuarina Meru Sdn. Bhd.; and Puan Sabrina Ahmad Tah, General Manager of Hotel Casuarina@Meru.
Under this agreement, TNB will install one 120kW DC fast charger with dual CCS2 connectors and two 22kW AC chargers at the hotel premises. The charging bays will include designated parking spaces, 24-hour access, and digital payment through a mobile app, offering guests a seamless, efficient, and user-friendly EV charging experience.
The Menteri Besar of Perak highlighted that the initiative signifies more than just infrastructure enhancement it represents the state’s commitment to sustainability-driven development. He reaffirmed that Perak Sejahtera 2030, particularly under Flagship 12: Water and Renewable Energy, aims to foster an inclusive green economy driven by innovation, investment, and job creation. He further acknowledged TNB’s role in advancing clean energy solutions and Casuarina Meru’s dedication as a state-owned hospitality provider to integrating sustainable practices, demonstrating the tangible impact of cross-sector collaboration on environmental and economic progress.
To date, Perak has successfully developed 149 EV charging bays across 56 strategic locations, including urban centres, rural areas, eco-tourism destinations, and commercial growth zones. This accounts for nearly 30% of the state’s target of 500 chargers by 2025, and this latest initiative is expected to accelerate progress toward that goal.
According to Dato’ Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin, the EV charging infrastructure is a key addition that not only enhances the hotel experience but also positions Hotel Casuarina@Meru as a sustainability-forward destination. He emphasized that the facilities represent the fastest EV charging infrastructure among hotels in Ipoh and contribute significantly to Perak’s ambition to become a leading green tourism state. He added that Hotel Casuarina@Meru fully supports the state’s sustainability aspirations and integrates environmental consciousness into its operations.
The event also featured a tour of the hotel’s EV charging zone, where VIP guests witnessed a live demonstration using the Proton e.MAS, Malaysia’s upcoming fully electric vehicle. The demonstration showcased the practicality of local EV charging technologies and the readiness of the supporting infrastructure.
The EV chargers are expected to be fully operational by the third quarter of 2025 under TNB’s Elektron brand. The project aligns with Malaysia’s national goal of installing 10,000 EV chargers by the end of 2025, a target currently at 36% completion. It also supports the broader national agenda of embedding ESG principles—Environmental, Social, and Governance—into development strategies across all sectors.
Datuk Redza Rafiq, CEO of PKNPk, shared that the state is proactively embedding renewable energy solutions into various business operations within the PKNPk group. As part of this commitment, solar panels have been installed on the roofs of the Casuarina Convention Centre and hotel car parks to generate clean energy, reduce carbon emissions, and reinforce the hotel’s role as a green hospitality leader in the state. Additionally, solar-powered street lighting has been implemented at Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah to enhance safety while reducing overall energy consumption.
With strategic leadership from PKNPk and implementation strength from Perak Corporation Berhad across sectors such as ports, property, tourism, and facility management, Perak is on the right path to becoming an investment-friendly state that prioritizes sustainability.
This milestone event not only reflects a major upgrade in infrastructure but also highlights a shared vision of building a greener, more innovative, and forward-thinking Perak through meaningful collaboration between the public and private sectors.