The Government is committed to reviving Proton and will not allow the carmaker to sink, says Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister said the National Automotive Cluster @ Proton City that would be developed here over the next five years would not just help Proton but boost the fortunes of Tanjung Malim, which would receive the economic spillover.

“Don’t worry – Proton will see a brighter future and a revival of Proton will be the commitment of the Barisan Nasional govern-ment.

“A revival of Tanjung Malim will also be a commitment of the Barisan Nasional government,” Najib said to cheers at the launch of the project here yesterday.

The audience comprised staff of Proton’s parent company DRB-Hicom Bhd and local residents invited to the event.

Comprising several components, the National Automotive Cluster @ Proton City will be developed by DRB-Hicom.

These include a 1Malaysia Youth City, an Edu City education hub to be built in the future and a high-tech automotive hub encompassing green electric car technology, the latest battery technology and artificial intelligence.

The project will also house a car assembly facility for global brands and be a production centre for the export market.

The National Automotive Cluster @ Proton City will also house a motorcross circuit, an automotive museum and mall, an automotive hub for local vendors and a test track for sports car owners to take their vehicles to the limit.

Also present at the launch were Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, International Trade and Industry Minister II Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan and China’s Ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian.

In June, DRB-Hicom and China automotive giant Zhejiang Geely Holdings Group signed an agreement which saw the latter acquiring 49.99% of car manufacturer Proton and 51% of luxury sports car brand Lotus in a deal worth RM1bil.

Najib said Proton’s previous troubles were due to a business model based more on economic nationalism and not business reality.

“There was too much political interference in Proton’s management. We won’t allow Proton to sink,” he said.

“If people say that we didn’t help Proton, then that is just a lie as we have given loans, capital injection and incentives.

“We made it a condition though that if Proton wants to continue to develop, it has no choice but to choose a strategic partner.”

Earlier, Najib and his entourage had travelled from KL Sentral to Tanjung Malim on the Electric Train Service (ETS).

Starting the journey at 8am, Najib, who was also accompanied by Liow, chatted with the ETS driver who operated the train.

Arriving at the Tanjung Malim KTM station at 9.30am, he then had breakfast with local residents at the Tanjung Malim food court before going for the launch.

Source:
courtesy of THE STAR

by Razak Ahmad

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