Najib: Proton won’t disappear under my leadership

TANJUNG MALIM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has given an assurance that his leadership will revive and advance Proton to the point of making a name on the global stage.

He said the government was committed to ensuring that Proton and Tanjung Malim town did not disappear, but rather, embrace a brighter future.

He also said that based on government research undertaken, the issues faced by the company were due to an economic model centered on the spirit of nationalism, and not global.

“As there was political interference in Proton’s administration, we will not let it disappear, but the company needs the government’s support and encouragement to be revived.

“The government under my leadership will revive Proton, and as such, if people say we are not helping, it is a lie. We will inject capital and incentives,” he said in his speech when launching the National Automotive Cluster @ Proton City, here yesterday.

Also present were the prime minister’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Perak Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, International Trade and Industry Minister, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad, China’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Bai Tan and DRBHICOM Bhd Group Managing Director, Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar.

The cluster development plan involves developing the Bandar Belia 1Malaysia, Edu City, high technology automotive hub encompassing electric car technology, green technology, Industry 4.0 technology and artificial intelligence, assembly of cars with global branding as well as the production of cars for the export market. Najib said Proton’s chosen strategic partner, Geely, was a company best suited to advance Proton based on its excellent track record.

“I am confident the decision of (choosing) Geely is correct as the company produces 1.5 million vehicles annually, owns Volvo, has high technology and is willing to transfer technology to Proton’s engineers and workers. “With electric car technology, maybe there would be flying cars after this. If we remain with the old mentality, we may not survive the keen competition” he added.

Najib said Tanjung Malim will receive the spillover by undergoing drastic changes in the next five to six years.

“I see Tanjung Malim as a town with potential, although it has been all this time rather subdued, but now at the crossroads of a brighter future.

“As the government, I, together with the Menteri Besar, will work as close as possible to make this a reality and not an empty dream, he added.

However, Najib said the Barisan Nasional government needed the support and mandate of the people to continue developing the area.