Govt won’t allow proton to be destroyed
PEKAN: “We cannot allow Proton to be destroyed,” this message had been frequently repeated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak when the national car manufacturer faced a critical moment two years ago.
DRB-HICOM group managing director Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar Syed Ali Rethza Albar said at that time, Proton was facing the risk of destruction if it was not rescued because the national automotive market was too small while the manufacturing cost was high.
He added that the prime minister, although he had never been involved in past issues in Proton, had come forward to assist them, on the principle of responsibility and thinking of the fate of the workers if no action had been taken.
“If he had wanted to take the easy way out, the government could have left Proton on its own and not do anything. But as a responsible leader, he had personally led the government machinery to become one team to be together with DRB-Hicom.
“This was to ensure that we achieved success in the Proton recovery plan. Alhamdulillah, we got Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely) as a strategic partner. We have no one to thank except the prime minister who played an important role to rescue Proton and DRB-Hicom,” he said.
Syed Faisal Albar said this in his speech at a friendly gathering of DRB-Hicom staff and the Launch of Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) Pekan which was attended by Najib at the grounds of Puspakom Pekan, here yesterday.
He added that the efforts to rescue Proton was also driven by Najib’s vision to see that the Malaysian-made car would spearhead the automotive market in the Asean region.
In addition, the existence of the DRB Hicom complex in this district was also realised with the assistance of Najib, who has been the Pekan Member of Parliament for the past 10 terms, according to Syed Faisal Albar. — Bernama