OCT 30 — Proton is gradually returning to profitability. I notice that the new Proton Saga is often seen on the streets of Kuala Lumpur. I know that a new car would not be noticed on the road until a certain volume of sales is achieved.
Other Proton models are also more frequently seen — a sign of good sales. Before this the new cars most often seen were from the Perodua stables.
Since Proton acquired a new chairman in the person of Datuk Nadzmi Salleh, I find it easier to perform the work of Proton adviser. The Prime Minister has also indicated that Proton affairs should be referred to me. Accordingly I have been busy on a plan to resuscitate the company. I have been talking to potential technology partners for Proton.
Lately I had been disturbed by media reports that Proton is to be sold to certain parties. This talk has agitated the staff of Proton. They know of cases where after a new investor took over a company, senior staff had been laid off. Their worry over this matter affects their performance. This is bad at a time when they are trying to contribute to Proton's recovery.
I have told the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer that Proton is not for sale, but I think I should assure the senior staff and the workers that there is no plan to sell Proton in the foreseeable future. The need is to restructure the company and reach agreement with the potential partner. After that work has to be done to ensure Proton fully recovers.
I agree with the headline in a certain tabloid for everyone to leave Proton alone. If Proton staff is assured of this I feel sure we would be able to put Proton firmly on its feet. — Chedet.com

written by JustaGuy, October 30, 2009
written by Too Long, October 30, 2009
written by Agamigir, October 30, 2009
written by Delgadoes, October 30, 2009
Remove the ridiculous import tax on foreign cars and we'll see how Proton really performs. Proton appears to be on its last legs and depends on government crutches.
written by Wilfred, October 30, 2009
just barred other competitors out of Proton production range...
then Proton can continue to do well, until the day Malaysian's cash is drained
you probably just see the pride, not the sustainability.
I hope Proton can be sold and merged to be stronger, before we become cashless to survive anymore.
written by Param, October 30, 2009
written by Anak Kedah, October 30, 2009
Tun, answer this question, why should 28 millions Malaysians subsidise Proton every month by paying more ?????? This is one of biggest sins created by you. There will be retribution.
written by Malaysiacoverup, October 30, 2009
written by seberang, October 30, 2009
written by Joker, October 30, 2009
written by MOKO, October 30, 2009
-Steve McQueen
"Leave Proton Alone" Dr.M, my dear there wont be any Proton on the road. And even if you spotted one, the car owner may already had replaced the "Proton" Logo with a "Mitsubishi".
Dream on...... Doctor
written by HS, October 31, 2009
I would like to highlight herewith two real examples (cases) for your kind attention as follows :-
(1) PROTON CAR (National Car Project):
The Proton Car Project is indeed a failure one. Our car is no way to be marketed overseas if the price and the quality are not competitive enough (or at all). A Mercedes of Class 240E is selling about USD30,000-00 (equivalent to about RM100,000-00) in many countries overseas. With this amount of money one more and less could get Proton Perdana locally only. If Proton can not go out of country and marketable overseas means it is hopeless for this car project to be existed. The whole nation has to bear and pay so much for the national car policy as we all have to pay much more (may be few times) price for cars purchased locally in order to protect the national car manufacturers.
The reasons why the Proton has failed could be summarized as follow:
(a) The Proton practices closed type protection without competition right from beginning. The then Administration headed by you (then Dato Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad) never allowed other car manufacturers to exist to compete. All technical know-how for the car manufacturing is solely relied upon the principal partner – Mitshubishi only. After almost 20 years later, you realized that no competition means no progress. You then allowed second national car - Perdua to operate. However, all the initial protection policies are still remained unchanged. With this small competition, the Proton has been trying very hard to compete with and still a long way to go.
(b)The Proton has been protected for too long thus becoming inefficient and uncompetitive. The Proton would be collapsed immediately in the event that the said protection policies were removed.
(c) Do you know a car itself needs more than 10,000 items to be manufacured? Until today, we still cannot produce a basic steel plates for the car bodies locally so how to expect us to produce other more important parts. With rather very small population like Malaysia, it is indeed very difficult to sustain a car industry to survive successfully. Do you know that there will be only 5 to 6 car manufacturers worldwide can be survived and the rest would be gone in very near future? The car giants like GM (already bankrupt), Renault, Opel,...... all are facing real big problems. Many people during you tenure as PM (eg. criticised by Prof. Jomo....) advising you to abolish (scrap) this useless Proton Car Project, however, you never have a hear to listen and becoming so ugly states of today situations.
(2) PETRONAS (National Petroleum Project):
The Petronas was first proposed, done and built by the the 2nd Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein. This Project was even protested and rejected by some of then student activists like Mr. Anwar Ibrahim and others. However, over these years, it has really been proven that this is a real successful project. Today, the Petronas has generated income for the country to meet more than 40% of the expenditures needed. (i.e. more than 40% of the Government Tax/incomes are actually from Petronas). Moreover, it is really wonderful even to note that nearly 50% of the Petronas revenues have been generated from their overseas ventures in petroleum related industries.
If we are carefully studied why the Petronas can achieve such great success, then we may draw the conclusions as follows:
(a)The Petronas practices open competition right from beginning. The then Administration headed by Tun Abdul Razak never closed down or order to stop operation to any international oil companies. He allowed all oil companies such as Shell, Esso, BP, Caltex, Mobil….remained to operate as usual even though Malaysia was putting up an extra and very tough efforts to develop the own petroleum industries.
(b) The Petronas and all other oil companies are treated equally by the Government. The selling prices for petroleum products by all oil companies including the Petronas are the same.
(c) The Petronas needs to find its own ways especially in technological fields in order to compete with all international oil players (or Oil Giants) not only locally but also in overseas ventures. The real challenge in term of technological competencies for all technical personnel has been pursued seriously. Under such circumstances, the Petronas has been propelled to success due to the great challenges from those world’s class oil companies. In order to survive and progress well among all these world’s class petroleum “Giants”, the Petronas has opted for the most difficult path to stand up for the challenges and finally successfully become one of the World Most Leading Oil Company.
written by dede, November 01, 2009




