Not a case of ‘knowing nothing about automotive engineering’, but people are cautious of the third national car

Our Prime Minister speaks with too much aloofness when he pans critics who oppose the idea of the third national car as “knowing nothing about automotive engineering” when “they think they know everything.” It would be apt if Malaysia becomes a strong country not by relying on the birth of the third national car, but by creating a fair, competitive business environment.

From the painful experience with Proton in the past, it is understandable that the rakyat have doubts against the third national car.

The government had made a big announcement on plans to develop a local car brand, which was Proton in those days. However, the rakyat did not benefit. Based on the government’s protectionist policy for the national car, the prices of all imported vehicles jumped, compelling car buyers to purchase the more price-friendly national car. However, the quality of the national car lacked compered to automobiles at the international level, thereby drawing criticisms.

What was even worse was despite the protectionist environment, Proton kept losing money and the government was forced to introduce various rescue plans. Such was the experience for the rakyat, and in 2017, the government sold a 49.9% stake in loss-making Proton Holdings Bhd to China-based Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd (Geely Holdings). This should have stopped the bleeding caused by the national car.

How will the Prime Minister and the Pakatan Cabinet come up with specific plans to persuade the public and ensure that the third national car will not repeat the same mistakes of Proton? Malaysians should not be made to suffer due to the obstinacy of Tun Dr Mahathir.

The Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato’ Seri Mohd Redzuan had earlier informed that the implementation of the third national car project can drive the domestic economy. This implies that the third national car will benefit from similar protectionist policies as Proton did. The only difference is that he is going to spend RM20 million to develop the third national car.

The foundation of the nation’s prosperity should not be based on the third national car plan, but fair competition, a free and business-friendly environment, result-oriented performance and talents, in order to enhance the competitiveness of enterprises. It is very unscientific and illogical to bet the entire country’s wealth on a third national car plan which is full of unknowns.

Nicole Wong Siaw Ting
MCA National Youth Chairperson

-MCA Online-