Since the new government started administration, mega projects were reviewed to save the country billions of ringgit.
According to Malaysia’s Finance Minister, Lim Guan Eng, Malaysia is currently suffering a debt of over RM1 trillion.
Therefore, it is perplexing that the idea of developing another national car was contemplated.
Logically, another national car would mean using a large sum of money. If there is such money to be used, why not focus on other projects that are more beneficial and able to uplift the social economic status of the Rakyat?
Malaysia already has an existing national car, Proton. In fact, not many know that it is also the first country in Southeast Asia with the foresight to produce a national car that since progressed and evolved over the last 30 years.
In fact, Proton is the brainchild of none other than our current Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir where he had envisioned three decades ago for Malaysia to be a developed nation by 2020.
Producing another national car is not economically viable when the main focus should be on enhancing the existing one first. The truth is, efforts and initiatives should be undertaken with strategic collaborative efforts with automotive experts, leading research centres and major car manufacturers to look into the future of our industry. Wouldn’t it be better to utilise the money and send Malaysians to be attached to these manufacturers to pick their brains on future trends in the industry?
Yes, Proton has not been doing very well in recent years. But is it wise for us to abandon our nation’s pride just because it’s deemed to be ailing? What happened to our ‘Malaysia Boleh’ spirit?
The strategic partnership between Proton and China's Zhejiang Geely may just be what Proton needs to ensure the revitalisation of the brand. In order for this to be a success, one has to adopt a new way of thinking in terms of sharing and combining strength to achieve and assert technological leadership. Geely’s steely track records have seen them revive car manufacturers like Volvo and they are also the Mercedes’s biggest shareholder.
As Malaysians, we should give our support for the strategic partnership to ‘jump start’ and turn Proton around.
There is no need for a new national car when we already have one.
Nova