MITI says Proton and Perodua continue to meet the criteria that define them as national automakers
The government continues to consider the national car manufacturers Proton and Perodua for their contribution to the local auto industry and because they meet all the necessary criteria identified under National Automotive Policy 2020 (NAP 2020).
According to Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Liew Chin Tong, this would also apply to any manufacturer that is able to meet similar policies and requirements, such as Bernama report.
“With the criteria laid out in NAP 2020, any company other than Proton and Perodua that can meet those criteria is also eligible to be considered a national auto project and receive the same treatment, ” he said during a question and answer session in parliament yesterday.
He is answering an additional question from Lee Chean Chung (PH-Petaling Jaya), who asked why the Proton is still getting special treatment differently, as it is no longer a national car and only 51% owned domestic property.
Liew denies Proton is getting special treatment even though it is controlled by the private sector. “The government does not give Proton or Perodua special treatment. Under NAP 2020, the criteria for a Malaysian vehicle project place Proton as a local vehicle manufacturer,” he explained.
He said the requirements include local majority ownership, focus on local supply chain development; carry out local R&D activities and create job opportunities for Malaysians.
Liew said Proton has created job opportunities for 8,500 people, with 99% of them coming from the local community. “Proton also appoints more than 180 local tier 1 companies throughout its supply chain, and the average value of local procurement is between 75% and 80%, especially for fully developed models. locally,” he said.
However, he said the ministry was ready to update the NAP to match the evolution of the global auto industry, which has seen rapid changes in recent years.
