PM Najib: We won't allow Proton to sink

TANJUNG MALIM: Accusations that the Government is not interested in helping carmaker Proton are nothing but lies, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (pic).

The Prime Minister said the Government has always been committed to Proton and has in the past few years extended a lot of help to lift Proton's fortunes.

"If people say that we don't help Proton, then that is just lies.

"We have given loans, capital injection and incentives. We made it a condition though if Proton wants to continue to develop it has no choice but to choose a strategic partner," Najib said at the launch of the National Automotive Cluster @ Proton City here.

The project developed by DRB-Hicom Bhd will comprise of several components.

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They are the development of a 1Malaysia Youth City; an Edu City education hub which will be built in the future; a high-tech automotive hub that will encompass green electric car technology, the latest battery technology and artificial intelligence.

The project will also house car assembly facility for global brands and be a centre for production of cars for the export market.

The Prime Minister said that there had been too much political interference in Proton's management in the past.

Najib said that when Proton's history is examined, the Government realised that the problems which Proton faced in the past was likely because the carmaker's business model was based on economic nationalism and not business reality.

"We won't allow Proton to sink. But Proton needs support from the Government to be revived. And the Government will revive Proton with DRB-Hicom," said Najib.

Najib told the audience that he had travelled to Proton city by taking the KTM Komuter train in order to try out the public transport system from KL Sentral to Tanjung Malim.

He said that Tanjung Malim had great potential with the success of the National Automotive Cluster.

"Tanjung Malim is now at the crossroads to a very bright future," said Najib, adding that the development of both Proton as well as Tanjung Malim will continue to be a priority for the Government.