1. Those who condemn Proton cars do so because Proton cars are not of the same standard as foreign cars.
2. I suggest they test-drive the new Saga and Persona.
3. I have driven Korean cars of the 1980s, and also the new ones. There are distinct differences.
4. I found a lot of differences between the old Protons and the new Protons.
5. I think the management, engineers and workers in Proton are to be congratulated for the improvements made.
6. If you don’t agree with me, it is okay. But I own and drive the old Proton and the new ones. I think Proton has learnt something about making cars.
7. Frankly Malaysia would be a better country if we stayed as the colony of Europeans or other developed countries. They obviously know better than us about governance and the development of countries. And they will produce better cars, making us proud of our technology.
Proton latest models are eye-catching. Saga, Pesona and Iriz looks so good. Looks like management, engineers and designers have done some good job.
So, I do wonder why sales are not so good.
Perhaps, price play a factor. Proton management needs to study price elasticity in comparison with its competitor, for example Iriz vs MyVi or at lower end , Axia. What Proton may do is to offer a basic version, by reducing “luxury” parts such as First Aid Kit, Infotainment system, ABS system, and etc. If that helps to place Iriz price Basic Version to around RM 35,000 – RM 39,000 it may win sales in some market segment. Not everyone thinks those parts are necessary.
To improve quality impression, needs back to back guarantee with parts vendors, any problem occurs within 2 years of sales, defects found by customer must be replaced by Proton, chargeable back to parts vendor.
A business cannot run, like Proton, on a welfare mode.
Enough of the rakyat’s money already spent on Proton in vain. RM18 Billion on R&D alone. Kerja gila!
Only the political cronies are the intended and real beneficiaries of this silly national automobile venture.
Proton problem starts when the responsible international trade minister open the pandora box by agreeing to AFTA which considers lower tax for lower percentage of local content (40%) , thus making the cost of Proton higher (due to 80% of local content) than its competitor.
Indirectly, AFTA regulation hints than Proton and/or 60% of its vendor must shift its factories/plants to a country with lower labour cost, to produce its car at a more competitive price. That move can be detrimental to Malaysia labour situation but given the fact that the government does not care about the nationalization of Malaysia automobile industry, then the necessary were supposed had been done to ensure the survival of the company. The problem then and now, Proton Malaysia plant capacity is very much underutilized, thus giving a notion that , any shift overseas is counter-productive unless the excess capacity is sold before international venture is made.
Globalization is a double-edge sword. Just like a Sword-master, the sword owner needs to be agile and adapt to movement of the blade and his opponent to avoid getting sliced by his own sword.
I agree with your last comment, even if it did portray an air of sarcasm….
Remember Dr M, it has been over 50 years since British independence… and what does Malaysia have to show for itself? Being the Top 10 Most corrupt countries on this earth.
I don’t think Proton is a priority at the moment Tun. Proton is being sold off to cover debt obligations.
The Proceeds of Crime and Corruption.. It has nothing to do if Proton makes good cars or bad cars. Its about Corruption…. You should know this….
I think the one thing Malaysia should be worrying about is the rise of surrounding South East Asian Tigers, China and India….
50 years of foregone time to reform and develop has culminated in Malaysia being the joke of the world… Meanwhile in neighbouring Singapore… Such respect for a developed modern, clean and progressive well maintained society. A place to where expats flock because of the work life balance, cleanliness, rule of law etc etc etc….
What does Malay run Malaysia have to show for itself? Look East? How about Look South? Malaysia is a basket case, where the Dogs have had a jolly good feed… The experiment is pretty much finished. Well done…
Assalamualaikum, Tun.
If not mistaken, during the era of Tengku Mahaleel who led Proton as its Chairman, Proton had accumulated cash reserves in excess of RM4 billion.
Where has the money gone, if Proton still continued its good financial performance after removal of Tengku Mahaleel?
Salam!
Memang Proton ada kelemahan semasa Tun jadi penasihat Proton tapi… Najib jadi penasihat 1mdb… Terus ke laut 1mdb dibuatnya! Sampai sekarang 1mdb tak ada apa-apa yang boleh dibanggakan.
15. When general election is called, race sentiment is the priority at least for the next 10 years.
23. But one thing is for sure proton will not be able to survive if they miss the golden synergy effect with a global partner in expanding their base for the next 50 years.
24. When proton cannot survive, obviously, perodua shall take over proton, bukan?
25. Citroen and peugeout brands are the least favored brands in malaysia, therefore, with or without psa, the impact is minimal as voters have preferences over other long established european, americans, japanese and korean brands in local market.
26. If proton brand cannot be maintained, then, malaysia boleh too must off the radar too, bukan?
Well said Tun. Well said indeed 🙂
Assalamualaikum, Tun.
Honestly, Proton needs to focus on its market niche. Look at its past peak accomplishment era. It managed to capture a big share of car market during 80’s, leaving aside quality defects.
Proton is still not ready to fight in the upper end, high tech segment. Instead, Proton should be ready to champion the economical, light cc car segment.
We do hope that Proton returns to the right track and grows steadily.
Assalamualaikum, Tun.
We all wish that Proton has improved and will continue to improve, till being in par with other foreign makes.
Anyhow, it’s one of the key industries, which employs quite a big number of workers. Its collapse will certainly harm our economy.
We do anticipate improvement in its work culture, mentality and product quality.
If Pak M have so much confidence new proton , why you don ‘ t ask your billionaire son take over proton from DRB HICOM and you can sit there as chairman . With combination of both you can propel it greater height LOL . Your son can take it as Charity project since you milked petronas to make him billionaire. Sincerely , Najib’ s dedak eater
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2017/03/01/nazri-proton-a-white-elephant/
Geely isn’t necessarily the best solution.
Tun,
I have worked in the Automotive Industry in several continents. I was born in the UK and have never worked for a Manufacturer that is UK owned.
The UK still produces cars, but with the exception of small niche Manufacturers none are owned by UK Manufacturers.
I think this is sad. However, unlike your good self, I am not the founder of any of Britain’s now foreign owned brands.
I was working in OPEL when Rolls Royce and Bentley were sold too German Manufacturers. Who would have predicted that? But both companies have gone from strength to strength since.
I hope the Proton workforce get treated fairly, and are given credit for their undoubted improvement over the years. I’m sure their future Management will be pleasantly surprised by the skillsets they will have at their disposal.
I look forward to seeing Protons appearing in my local (UK) dealer in the not too distant future!
All the best to you and everyone (Both Proton and Lotus) affected by this.
John Mansfield
The longer UMNO member allow Najib to be PM
The more tarnish UMNO will be
Najib reputations is DONE
The people has no trust nor hearts in Najib
As we can observes from the Kopi Tiam , from Social Media even the Govt media
UMNO pillars now Slanted about to fall
Strong True Man are not around no more
It is Najib to saves UMNO
He simply has to walk off or UMNO will Fall if Najib stays for the next PRU
Even if UMNO were to win
It will never be the same old UMNO
The top thief Najis selling Malaysia’s resource one-by-one to foreign countries now. He and his slaves and his family desperately in need of money and seems their hands are itching now after they wiped 1MDB money.
Johor lands sold to China
Huge loan from China for Rail project
Proton sold to Geely China
Now petronas going into the pockets of Aramco
Everyday minimum 2 murders happening in Malaysia
Fire arms freely available in the hands of common people (current IGP’s daughter running a fire arm business successfully).
Meanwhile 1 USD = RM 4.45
Malaysians should pray for the bright future of their children…
In some countries, corrupt politicians will give money to voters a day before the polling day, so those people won’t have much time to think and simply vote for that criminal. This is the tactics what Najis and his slaves are thinking of doing in next GE.
Many people just don’t know how how to start ,but when someone started it they only know how to end it’s.
They claimed that they are doing a good job .
12. Tsunami across the indian ocean wiped out more than 230k people across the region that no one could ever predict such disaster could happened.
16. On the other side, the bali shootings happened in the most populated muslim country in south east asia, will you support such cruel terrorism act of mankind?
8. Its a sign of resignation?
9. But its more like a new kongsi kind of formulae.
10. Petronas signed up for earth hour because they wanted to join the global community in embracing the fight against warmer climate to bring down co2 to a certain level, bukan?
11. Even air flights no longer spared due to uncertain turbulence caused by c02.
13. Its not a surprised at all for those who cannot change, unable to change and afraid to change, obviously, kafir card would be played as usual.
14. When mr xi said protectionism is akin to drinking poison to quence own’s thirst in putonghua, how many of his party members would listen to such sincere advice?
17. Maybe nep can stay for the next 10 years.
18. Therefore, its not a surprised at all when we hear bagi chance kepada umnoputra lain.
19. After 10 years, can nep sustain?
20. Yeap, me too firmly believe when bad things happened, there must be a good reason.
21. But, do the political parties have the guts and courage to admit first?
22. Since no one is willing to take the responsibility, then, the best way out is to wait for general election called.
7. Frankly Malaysia would be a better country if we stayed as the colony of Europeans or other developed countries. They obviously know better than us about governance and the development of countries. And they will produce better cars, making us proud of our technology.
Yr this sentence Tun was quite commented by few
Sounds down , sounds upset . Yes Europeans are good in Technology
Does not mean they are the better Governance
End Day is what we want that matters not them not the World
Whoever looks down on Proton
Does not gives me a Damn . So what ?
Yes , yes , yes
We are low in Technology not just making cars
We are low in many electrical , mechanical ,architectural & many more
We are not them , They are not us , We are we
We are good at making Kueh , Good at keeping Nature alive
Good at taking care of our family & parents , our culture preserves till today
Yes we are far back from them in many
Much worst in Military
If US , Russia or North Korean wants to attack us
The Best options is to Submit
BUT That does not mean we need to submit
We have to built it now
Be the Best we can be
Whatever they say , Proton till today serves almost Malaysian
in many & in certain ways though it hurts the investors as much of other car producer
It may not be stylist , distinct , nor Wow ! Stunning
BUT It Delivers
It delivers our Kueh , have ease much of our daily activity
With such an affordable cost from Rich to Poor ,Young and Old
From Johor to Kelantan and almost all parts of Malaysia
It delivers my Nenek . She is driving her own Proton
Moves around as she pleases , retired single
Ok what , she happy and it is within her means
Big ,Prestigious Car Manufacturer also have their very own set of problems
Most may look good and ellegant but almost is struggling with cost & profits
Things does not comes easy
I am much envy of Singapore
They don’t produce Cars , Yet they profited from Cars the most profitable among all world car producer with just a piece of paper
They don’t have Oil yet they earn much much better than the oil producer
Not even water , yet they earn commercially supreme profit from us , the sources of their water
It is most important that we need to look at each other
To know which directions we are going
Najib ship is Wavy . His own weight & Rosmah already dis stabilize the Ship
I have no confident at all
Its proper guidance , stronger Government that we lack of today
It was never Proton. Indeed today we see many of our structures & land crumbling down Not just like Proton
I did not see Forest City , IDR Iskandar Development Region
as a Progress nor Development to Malaysia
As it invites foreign influences , foreign Voices
I See as a Threat to us Malaysians
It gains them more than us in a near future
It Looks Develops , but …… ?
Reflects the Weakness & Incompetence of our Today Governance
Our Navigation did not have a strong concrete direcion
The Captain & Crew are Drunk
I felt aboard in a Sinking Ship
Saya setuju juga pendapat Saudara Ismadi.
Tapi… pada pendapat saya, Rakyat Malaysia, terutamanya Pemimpin Tertinggi, kurang rasa tanggup jawab kepada Bangsa, Agama dan Negara. Mereka hanya pandai berlakon atau berpura-pura demi sokongan dan demi ‘undi’. Sikap dan semangat Patriotism atau Nationalism.
Rakyat kita juga kurang rasa bangga dengan kemampuan Bangsa sendiri, tebal dengan sikap inferiory-complex, jika dibandingkan semua bangsa yang terdapat didunia ini. Dan sudah tentu, kebanyakan dari kita lebih berbangga dengan jenama atau kereta buatan Negara asing-terutamanya, dari Negara bekas-Penjajah.
Contoh paling ketara… adalah PM & isteri beliau. Mereka amat gemar bershopping-sakan diNegara Kapir yang jauh lebih maju dari kita. Bergaya dengan jenama mewah & exclusive. Apa salahnya… jika mereka membeli-belah di Komplek MARA…misalnya, atau di Bukit Bintang. Takkan tiada peniaga yang menjual barangan berjenama? Kalau pun tiada, rasa tak jadi masaalah jika peniaga order dari Negara luar. Dikecualikan cukai pun… biasa diatur. Maklumlah, PM juga Menteri KeWANGan.
Sekurang-kurang dapat bantu perniagaan anak-bangsa sendiri, disamping mengurangkan pengaliran Ringgit keluar Negara. Baru tepat dengan slogan… Rakyat diDahulukan.
Kegagalan Proton juga adalah akibat dasar Kerajaan, terutamanya Ahli-Politik… bermula zaman Pak Lah yang tidak patriotic dan lebih mementingkan peluang ‘berniaga’ untuk kemewahan diri-sendiri, ahli-keluarga dan kroni-kroni tanpa mengambil-kira kesan & akibat dalam jangka-masa panjang. Membenarkan kereta buatan-Asing terutamanya dari Amerika, masuk begitu banyak sekali.
Bukti terbaru… kerana tamakkan harta & WANG… tidak memelihara kepentingan Negara dan tidak peduli kesan & akibatnya… 50, 100 atau 200 tahun kehadapan… akibat penjualan tanah/kondo-mewah secara Freehold di Forest City kepada Warga-Asing.
Tun telah banyak kali menulis… Tiada Negara didunia ini yang TIDAK melindungi kepentingan industry kereta nasional mereka sendiri.
Ya, saya akui… memang benar… harga kereta proton jauh lebih murah di UK, dari di Malaysia. Malangnya… saya tak tahu mengapa, kerana saya belum baca atau terdengar… Tun menjelaskannya. Tapi saya tak berapa rasa ralat… kerana, kalau saya nak beli-murah di UK pun, termasuk tambang nak bawa balik kereta itu dari UK, sudah tentu jauh lebih murah jika saya beli di Malaysia.
Salam Tun.
Quote from the Holy Qur’an: An-Nahl (16:65)
وَاللَّهُ أَنْزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَحْيَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لِقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ
WaAllahu anzala mina alssamai maan faahya bihi alarda baAAda mawtiha inna fee thalika laayatan liqawmin yasmaAAoona
And Allah has sent down rain from the sky and given life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who listen.
Salam Tun.
1. Tun masih bicara tentang Proton , tetapi kali ini agak ringkas.
2. Apa yang Rimba Emas boleh komen tentang bicara kedua ini menjadi tanda tanya ?
3. Kali ini dalam tafsiran Rimba Emas macam ada yang tersirat bersetuju dengan pihak yang menjual Proton demi menjaga kualiti.
4. Atau pun satu lagi tulisan berwatak SINIS atau sikap MERAJUK kerana tidak dapat mengubah RAKYAT YANG DEGIL mempermainkan negara kita cintai Malaysia.
5. Bukan sahaja Tun termasuklah Rimba Emas sikap rajuk atau bersetuju dengan pihak yang kita lawan dengan cara di lakukannya tetapi berlainan di hati mungkin ada sebabnya.
6. Pada Rimba Emas lebih baik berterus terang daripada bermain dengan perasaan. Agar golongan ini tahu isi hati kita.
7. Kerana menjaga perasaan orang kadang2 kita lupa yang ada dalam hati akan di nilai oleh Allah s.w.t. Takut kita berdosa pada tuhan walau pun kita aman di dunia.
8. Realitinya seoarang yang berjuang kepada negara Malaysia pasti tidak akan menjual apa2 milik negara kita.
9. Apa yang di usahakannya adalah semata-mata untuk mengekalkan hak milik negara Malaysia.
10. Contohnya seorang pejuang yang ikhlas kepada agama yang di lupai manusia di dunia akan dihargai oleh Allah s.w.t di hari akhirat nanti.
11. Maknanya seorang yang ikhlas untuk mengekalkan sesuatu untuk Malaysia (dalam pelembagaan negara Islam & muka buminya makhluk Allah s.w.t) pasti akan dihargai oleh tuhan agama Islam tersebut .
12. Seorang pejuang negara Malaysia pasti membuat sesuatu seperti mengekalkan Proton milik negara.
13. Contohilah negara Islam pada zaman Rasullullah s.a.w yang tidak memewahkan dirinya dari harta milik kerajaan Islam ketika itu. Hidupnya hanya dari hasil upah yang diterimanya.
14. Pada zaman jahiliah pembesar2 yang mengetuinya hidup kaya raya malah menindas golongan miskin dengan hidup cara kafir sehinggalah lahirnya seorang Rasul Allah s.w.t yang mengIslamkan umat manusia.
Wallahua’lam.
jangan ada putus asa, terus berjuang…………..
Salam Tun.
“Frankly Malaysia would be a better country if we stayed as the colony of Europeans or other developed countries.”
Apabila DYMM Sultan mencemuh Tun kerana meluahkan kerisauan, Tanah Pusaka Rakyat akan tergadai akibat dijual secara Freehold, saya sudah boleh agak bahawa Istana ada kepentingan di Forest City.
Luluh hati saya… dan saya juga terfikir ada baiknya jika kita masih dibawah colony British dan Malayan Union tidak dibatalkan. Sekurang-kurangnya, pihak Istana hari ini mungkin terpaksa bayar cukai kepada Rakyat atau Kerajaan, sama seperti pihak Istana di UK.
Walaubagaimana pun, hari ini kita masih punyai seorang PM yang sangat memuja EPL Bekas Penjajah, malah pernah mengistiharkan dirinya seorang peminat atau ‘a fan of MUFC’. Pernah berjersi penuh pasukan MU dan terkinja-kinja bersama anak-muda, gembira bila pasukan yang diminatinya menjaringkan Gol. Tak tahu lah saya, samada beliau betul-betul minat MU atau hanya mahu mengambil hati anak-anak muda supaya menyokong UMNO/BN.
Namun saya belum pernah dengar seorang Ketua Negara, terutamanya dari Asia yang menunjukkan keterujaan kepada mana-mana Pasukan Bola dari Negara Eropah. Jepun, misalnya… satu Bangsa yang punyai semangat Patriotism atau Nationalism yang sangat tinggi… jika PM mereka berbuat seperti PM kita, sudah tentu Rakyat Jepun akan mencemuh dan letak jawatan akibat malu kepada Rakyat.
Malangnya di Malaysia, seorang PM yang terpalit berbagai-bagai scandal yang memalukan bangsa Agama & Negara, termasuk isu RM2.6 Billion dalam akaun peribadi, masih menebalkan muka, langsung tidak ada rasa bersalah dan bergayut pada jawatan itu. Ahli Party sendiri pula terus menyokong beliau. Mungkin mereka ingat… pergi tunai Haji boleh menyucikan diri dari dosa itu.
Salam Tun,
Hendak kereta elok dan canggih tentu mahal harganya.
Harga kereta Proton masih berpatutan tetapi Proton akan lebih baik sekiranya membuat kereta yg setanding BMW dan Mercedez tetapi sanggupkah rakyat Malaysia membelinya?
Tujuan asal Proton pada masa itu adalah bagi memungkinkan semua keluarga di Malaysia mempunyai kereta mampu milik. Proton adalah jenama tersebut.
Kini semua kereta mahal. Harga RM45,000 dan ke atas.
Dan Perodua menjadi kilang tukang pasang kereta dengan bermuka sebagai kereta buatan Malaysia.
Saya percaya Proton akan berjaya sekiranya mempunyai kepercayaan diri yg tinggi.
Wassalam.
7. Frankly Malaysia would be a better country if we stayed as the colony of Europeans or other developed countries. They obviously know better than us about governance and the development of countries. And they will produce better cars, making us proud of our technology.
Assalamualaikum, dear Tun Dr. Mahathir!
Is the above a sign of some kind of resignation?
I don’t know about “Europeans or other Developed Countries knowing better about governance and the development of countries” but I know about the production of cars and there I will agree that if it came to either PSA Peugeot/Citroen or Geely buying PROTON, or buying into it some way, PROTON can only benefit as PROTON’s skills will increase and PROTON will eventually be able to export cars making Malaysia a hub for world wide sales of RHD products.
Some current PROTON models may disappear, other will stay.
If you and/or PROTON would be interested in an alternative to PSA PEUGEOT/CITRON and GEELY I invite you and/or anyone in charge at PROTON to contact me as I do have an ALTERNATIVE in form of an offer that can hardly be refused.
Salam, Tun, good health and keep up the spirits – your endeavours in PROTON were no exercise in vain! There is this well know proverb saying: It at first you don’t succeed, try, try … try again!
I am ready to help doing this and these efforts can then fail only very difficulty. The trouble to-date was getting to you and/or decision makers at PROTON although I was received by Tengku Mahaleel at the time, only he wasn’t staying with PROTON for very much longer at the time.
Another proverb says that “everything always happens for the best” and I firmly believe in this.
Alfred Willner
Assalamualaikum Tun.
Semua kereta saya adalah Proton. Samada untuk kegunaan dekat mahupun jarak jauh.
Untuk 2 buah cuma bayar rm1000 sebulan. Petrol jimat dan selesa untuk perjalanan jauh. Anak anak gembira santai untuk perjalanan 5,6 jam.
Pada mulanya kami berkira kira untuk menukar kepada Honda, tetapi kemudiannya kami bersedia untuk membeli sebuah rumah lagi. Jadi bye bye Honda. Proton masih berjaya menyediakan kepuasan untuk kehidupan kami seharian.
Jika anda ingat harga kereta import akan turun sekiranya Proton tidak dilindungi, mungkin anda silap lagi
kerana kerajaan sentiasa memerlukan percukaian.
Sekarang negara akan kehilangan kereta buatan sendiri dan rakyat akan tetap membeli kereta kereta pada harga yang akan sentiasa meningkat.
Syabas kerajaan Najib.
Terima kasih Tun.
Tun,
I know you are sad and you are very correct to notice that the old and new proton is different. If only they take less time (Proton Management) to change their thinking and attitude. Now Proton a getting better but too bad they run out of money and special privileges. It is now harder to rebuild the trust and patriotism but with strong commitment and professionalism Proton can rise again.
If only there were less cronyism and stereo-typing of vendors and more about capabilities and accountability then Proton would have achieve its goal long time ago. Your mistake is that you “sayang” them too much, baby-sitting them until they dont know how grow and using race and religion in business. When Parts and Services or anything were to be monopolize by a group of special people then taking things for granted is a normal and regular occurrence. If you were to start next project do not allow your false compassion and blind faith to win you again. Diversity and Changes are nature and natural happening and it cannot be stop or alter by you or anyone. Please dont be sad or disappointed. Just let it go. You done many other good things for Malaysia and I want to say Thank You. Wish You happiness