Assemble Proton cars here – Shafie
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is the right place to assemble Proton cars and increase sales in East Malaysia, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
Shafie said the state is not only strategically located next to the home of the future Indonesian capital city in Kalimantan, but it is also closer to places like Hong Kong and neighbouring countries such as the Philippines and Japan.
He added that with the right market formulation for the state, Proton would be able to manufacture cars for both the consumers who could afford higher-end vehicles in the Sabah that had been known for having four-wheel drive aficionados and those who are out to get a good affordable car.
“There are very strong reasons as to why we encourage you to set up your car assembly here in Sabah. This is because this is the right spot,” said Shafie during the grand opening ceremony of Malaysia’s first Proton Flagship 4S Centre next to Metro Town in Kolombong here yesterday.
“Shah Alam is far from Japan, where you can compete. Shah Alam is far from China. Shah Alam is far from Hong Kong, and Shah Alam is far from the capital city of Indonesia, coming up in Kalimantan. Kalimantan will be the capital city for Indonesia and there will a massive investment in that particular region where billions of monies will be invested there.
“We have a good number of unemployed people in Sabah. They have the skills,” he said, adding those same people could be hardworking and loyal to Proton.
The Chief Minister said the Sabah government plans to build educational institutions such as vocational schools to mould skilled manpower needed for the industry.
“We can provide that sort of skill for the industry, particularly automotive industry,” he affirmed. Sabah is indeed a good buyer for four-wheel drive. Not Kuala Lumpur, not Singapore but Sabah has been using all the four-wheel drive,” he told Proton CEO Dr Li Chunrong when delivering his keynote address to the crowd at the event.
“So, Mr Li. I will encourage you in the future to assemble your cars here in Sabah. I think if you can’t find a place, we can provide the land,” offered Shafie.
“We are going to build a new port in Kudat, which is nearer to the Philippines, nearer to Hong Kong, nearer to Japan. It is not too far away as compared to Singapore, as compared to Kuala Lumpur.
“This is the right spot in terms of costs, much of the cost will be reduced and you will be very competitive because price is indeed, in the business world, a very important factor to ensure that survival is there,” he added.