The flying car prototype is unlikely to be unveiled to the public this month. But, Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof said the project, which was being carried out by the private sector, was ongoing. - NSTP/MOHD FADLI HAMZAH.

PUTRAJAYA: The flying car prototype is unlikely to be unveiled to the public this month. But, Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof said the project, which was being carried out by the private sector, was ongoing.

“I’m not saying it is a delay... it is progressing based on their feedback.

“But, what I’m saying is that we don’t have a timeline (to launch the prototype) because we are not spending the government’s money for the project as it is a private initiative.

“We are not in control of their progress, but only receive feedback on their development.

“We facilitate them by giving them the space and providing the rules and regulations,” he said after launching the Future SME Conference 2019 here today.

Redzuan said the hiccups in completing the prototype may be due to evolving and advancing technologies which required adaptation.

On the ministry’s role in the endeavour, he said discussions were being held with other ministries and authorities on the workability of flying cars in the country.

“At the moment, the government is not ready to have flying cars in the country,” he said.

Redzuan had previously said that the first prototype of the air mobility vehicle was expected to be launched as early as this month.

It was reported that it was being built by a Malaysian company in Japan and that it was 85 per cent complete.

Earlier at the conference, Redzuan said many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia were reluctant to adapt to technological change even as the nation was moving towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0).

“Studies conducted by independent bodies show that SMEs here are hesitant to learn and adapt to digitisation and digitalisation.

“The ministry is aware that some quarters in the country, like the bottom 40 per cent income group (B40), are not aware or maybe afraid in terms of the security of things like e-commerce, Internet banking and e-payment.

“Therefore, the ministry will take steps to carry out initiatives so that the stigma can be wiped away,” he said.