PROTON’s 49.9% share sales to Geely Holdings Group is likely to become a hot button issue in the 14th general election, which is scheduled to be held before May 2018.

Independent pollster Merdeka Centre’s Ibrahim Suffian told the South China Morning Post that Proton was a symbol of Malaysia’s transition from an agriculture-based economy to an industrialised one and was a source of national pride for many.

He said the sale to a Chinese company would be disconcerting to conservative nationalists as it created the impression that Malaysia is not as strong as it used to be.

Ibrahim said the opposition has yet to fully capitalise on it but it is only a matter of time with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad leading the charge as Proton was his brain child.

However, research fellow at University Malaya’s Institute of China Studies Miao Zhang believes that Proton will remain a national car manufacturer due to Geely’s approach.

Miao pointed out that Geely had several times said it will fully respect “Proton’s tradition” suggesting that the company was well aware of local sensitivities and was prepared to address it.

She also said Proton, after the Geely sale, will likely face reduced protectionism and would be an opportunity for the business to revive itself.

Miao said if Geely succeeds in reviving Proton, it will also create more jobs for locals and increase production. – July 22, 2017.