Proton-Geely urged to build production factory in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: Umno Kota Kinabalu Youth chief Mohd Bahrin Abd Karim has urged national car producer ProtonGeely to build its production factory in Sabah.

Bahrin said Sabah’s location in BIMP-Eaga that had a 60 million population was a strategic place for the factory.

BIMP-Eaga, he pointed out, encompasses, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Speaking to reporters at the Umno Kota Kinabalu delegates conference which was officiated by Second Finance Minister and Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Johari Abd Ghani here yesterday, Bahrin said the Sepanggar Bay Container Port and Pan Borneo Highway would ease transportation and communication links to Sabah.

“It is time for Sabah to have an automobile production factory so that she can grab the opportunities in the motor vehicle market within the BIMP-Eaga region,” he said.

According to him, Proton is the sole automotive producer in Asean which has R&D capability and strong production facilities, and therefore Sabah wants to be part of the industry.

He is optimistic that with the setting up of the factory, more Sabahans will opt to stay and work in the state.

Bahrin also urged DRBHICOM which has a branch in Sabah to reopen it in preparation for the suggestion to Proton.