12/06/2018
PROTON 2.0
Mahathir in Aug 2017 has previously said he will start another Proton if Pakatan Harapan takes over as government.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/08/25/mahathir-mohamad-start-another-car-project/
Later he won and sworn in as 7th Prime Minister of Malaysia, he expressed his desired for new national car dream again, in his first Japan visit after becoming 7th Prime Minister.
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysian-pm-mahathir-says-growing-countries-need-different-trade-protections
He is pretty consistent about this once, he hated Proton has sold its 49.9% shares to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group and this is main reason for him to start a new Proton.
The only difference is occasion where he spoke about his desire of new Proton is in forum of China’s Investment in Malaysia.
Majority of Malaysian are not happy with this news although it is not a must go plan yet, we believe we have learned enough from the Proton and its losses. Mahathir has no excuse to put the blame on others already as he is the founder of Proton, given the higher price for Malaysian, as well as he served as advisor to Proton after stepping down from 4th Prime Minister Post.
There are many speculations to whether Mahathir would realise the plan of new national car, to me it could be market survey, getting respond from investor, people of Malaysia; or he is flexing his muscle to China and Geely cars? But is pretty obvious Mahathir do have this ambitious, he spoke twice, and he is patronise.
I even am surprised, despite many have voiced to against his Proton 2.0 idea, to date none of the Pakatan leaders have voice up to reassure public opinion will be taken seriously, at the FIRST forum where Mahathir talked Proton 2.0 project, at least Nurul Izzah has dropped a hint this project will be examined thoroughly. Or Mahathir is too smart and always getting ahead to release some stunning statement in important forum so is harder to express objection due to it might offending some other personae?
We are not sure if Mahathir is determined, also his announcement is a mere statement without promise, but this new Malaysia era, is important that we people, political leaders to voice up, not to sabotage but to express our opinion and it has to be heard, otherwise it may be too late as the plan is already planned.
KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Harapan might have plans to set up another national car company if it succeeds in capturing Putrajaya in the upcoming general election.