In a recent interview Proton chairman, Dr Mahathir blamed the company's problems on the lack of support from the Malaysian government. This was criticised by many members of the public as Proton has been on the few companies that enjoyed decades of assistance and protection from the Malaysian government. The company was extremely complacent when it was protected and did nothing to improve itself nor invest in new technology or improve on its quality. the Malaysian public grew tired of being forced to buy Proton cars since the taxed levied on imported cars were well beyond the means of the ordinary working public.
Proton was the brain child of Dr. Mahathir whom many hailed as the man who industrialised Malaysia. He was also the man guilty of making a mess of the automotive industry which drove car makers to thailand to setup regional manufacturing plants. For the sake of protecting one company many billions of dollars worth of investment went to thailand.
In the recent years Proton's market share has slid tremendously and it is now struggling again. Like any government linked company in Malaysia who struggles, they just stick their hand out to ask for support from the Government. this never ending bail out or support will never help the company that is embroiled in so much corruption.
Many Malaysians wouldn't mind seeing Proton close shop and stop wasting tax payer's money on bail out after bail out. Closing down proton would be a slap in the face for Dr. Mahathir. He cannot bare to see his car company fail. His ego could not take it!
Proton should have closed down many years ago and the automotive industry should be liberalised to allow more foreign investment to come into Malaysia.
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