MIC slams Proton's 'car-ste' offer, wants discounts for B40 and M40

A MIC leader has criticised Proton's 10 percent discount offer to members of the Federation of Hokkien Associations of Malaysia.

“Is Proton playing the caste or clan game. This offer not only discriminates Malaysians of other races but also Chinese Malaysians of other clans,” S Vell Paari told Malaysiakini.

“This kind of offer comes when we are talking about unifying Malaysians. This clearly goes against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's stand,” he said.

The MIC treasurer-general suggested that Proton offer a 20 percent discount to the B40 low-income group and a 10 percent discount to the M40 middle-income group instead.

“It was the right step forward when a Chinese firm invested in the ailing Proton firm. But its new bosses must remember that Proton was built on the sweat and toil of Malaysians,” he said.

Vell Paari also stressed that such discrimination cannot be tolerated.

“Imagine if I imported some product from Tamil Nadu, India and advertised that Tamils in Malaysia can get a discount while others have to pay the full price.

“Similarly, imagine if the Punjabis were given a discounted rate for 'chapati' and the Malays for 'nasi lemak',” he added.

Vell Paari said Proton's new bosses from mainland China must understand how Malaysia works before making such ludicrous offers.

According to Nanyang Siang Pau, Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd (PONSB) chief executive officer Li Chunrong announced the discounts during a dinner with local Hokkien businessmen last week.

"Any Malaysian of Fujian origin who purchases Proton cars will enjoy our most preferential prices ever," Li was quoted as saying.

A correspondence by PONSB vice-president of sales and marketing Abdul Rashid Musa to the federation described the deal as a "mutual collaboration."

The offer would be valid from Jan 12 to March 31 this year, according to the correspondence sighted by Malaysiakini.

Proton was founded by Dr Mahathir Mohamad in his third year as prime minister in 1983 to spearhead Malaysia's automotive industry.

Although initially successful, poor business decisions led to multiple government bailouts. Half the government's equity stake was eventually sold to China's Geely Holdings last year.- Mkini