“We have to be open and invest in talent. If we are too concerned with whether they are foreigners or not, we will not progress”

DATUK SERI MUSTAPA MOHAMED, International Trade and Industry Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has no issue with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd and DRB-HICOM Bhd appointing a non-Malaysian as Proton Holdings Bhd chairman at the international level.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said Proton should pick the best talent regardless of nationality.

“We have to be open and invest in talent. If we are too concerned with whether they are foreigners or not, we will not progress,” he said at a briefing after the opening of GLC ExplorAce 2017, here, yesterday.

He said this in response to a Berita Harian report that Geely and DRB-HICOM could be looking for a suitable candidate to helm Proton at the international level.

There was speculation that Li Chunrong of Dongfeng Honda Engine Co would fill the vacancy.

Meanwhile, on GLC ExplorAce, Mustapa said the event was a good platform for companies to gain knowledge and pitch business ideas.

GLC ExplorAce is an initiative by the International Trade and Industry Ministry that gather local entrepreneurs, vendors and government-linked companies under one roof so that they can acquire the latest information on entrepreneurship as well as explore broader opportunities.

UEM Group Bhd was the anchor host, in partnership with Sime Darby Holdings Bhd and Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Bhd. Amir Hisyam Rasid