Proton, Perodua Still Meet Criteria As National Car Makers - MITI

Because of their contributions to the local automotive industry, Proton Holdings Bhd (Proton) and Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) are still considered national carmakers. Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Liew Chin Tong, on the other hand, stated that the two car companies must ensure that the criteria outlined in the National Automotive Policy 2020 (NAP 2020) are met.

"With the criteria laid out in the NAP 2020, any company other than Proton and Perodua that can meet those criteria is also eligible to be considered as a national car project and be given similar treatment," he said during a question-and-answer session in Parliament on Monday (March 13). Liew was responding to Lee Chean Chung (PH-Petaling Jaya), who asked why Proton is still given special treatment despite the fact that it is no longer a national car.

Majority local ownership, a focus on developing the local supply chain, conducting local research and development (R&D), and providing job opportunities for the local community are among the criteria for a Malaysian vehicle project, according to Liew. He stated that Proton has employed 8,500 people, with 99% of them coming from the local community.

"Proton also appoints more than 180 Tier-1 local companies in its entire supply chain, and the average value of local procurement is between 75% and 80%, particularly for fully developed models," he added. As a result, he stated that Miti will constantly monitor Proton and Perodua's compliance with the criteria that have been established and will update the policy as the global automotive industry evolves.