Electric Taxis to Be Introduced at LIMA 2019

By Hamdan Ismail LANGKAWI, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- Langkawi District Office is taking a significant step to move this tourism island closer to become a low-carbon island by introducing electric powered taxis come the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition next year. Langkawi District Officer Muhammad Arof Darus said Wednesday that this had been made possible through an allocation approved by the government last year and they are now getting the local taxi association to submit their proposed candidates to drive the vehicles. “Through this allocation, subsidies will be given to the selected taxi operators to purchase the electric cars which would be used for the service,” he told Bernama after declaring opened an organic farming course organised by Frangipani Langkawi Resort and Spa here. He said as other efforts under the low carbon island initiative, 10 charging stations were also planned to be built near tourists spots and residential areas around Langkawi. “We would also facilitate E-Idaman (state-owned waste management company) to have more waste separation bins to be allocated on the island here to promote the practice of separating wastes,” he said. In his speech earlier, Muhammad Arof hailed Frangipani Langkawi for initiating the organic farming course, which would not only popularised the method in Langkawi but would also reduce dependence on vegetables imported from outside the island. “The course should be taken as a first step to learn more about organic farming and later the participants can apply their knowledge to start their own organic farm to contribute healthier food in Langkawi,” he added. Meanwhile, Frangipani Langkawi group managing director, Anthony Wong said the resort had already started their own organic farming project since 2005 in an effort to promote sustainable and environmental free operation on the island. “Through this course, we hope that we can assist residents in Langkawi by sharing our knowledge in organic farming not only on the best agricultural methods but also in marketing their products,” he added. A total of 50 participants took part in the one-day course, which featured, among others, subjects like compost and enzyme making, home-made fertilizers, rainwater harvesting technique and bio-pesticide. -- BERNAMA