THE government has received 14 proposals from the private sector on the third national car project mooted by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Ong Kian Ming (Bangi-PH) told the Dewan Rakyat that 14 submissions were received by the deadline on Monday.

The ministry will study the proposals and determine the direction of the national automotive industry before running a cost-benefit analysis on the project, he said.

“The proposal to conduct a cost-benefit study on the project is good and we should do it.

“But we must first determine the direction of the industry. We have received 14 proposals from the private sector so far on the third national car project.

“Once we have set the direction, we will conduct the cost-benefit study,” he said during question time in response to Wong Chen (Subang-PH).

The government has to study the national automotive industry policy, which was last reviewed in 2014, to ensure that it moved with the global trend, Industrial Revolution 4.0 and technological advancements, Ong said.

The question on the third national car project earlier came from Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Pasir Salak-BN), who had asked if the government planned to proceed with the idea.

Tajuddin also asked how much investment will be needed and of the government’s and private sector’s involvement in the project.

“The third national car project will be fully driven by the private sector,” Ong said.

Tajuddin, in his supplementary question, sarcastically said he supports the project and hopes prime minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim (Port Dickson-PH) will continue with it after he takes over from Dr Mahathir.

He also asked if the government were willing to send Malaysians overseas to learn engineering, research and development, product development and other skills needed to grow the automotive industry.

He said Malaysia should look into exporting its national cars to bigger markets, rather than just exporting rubber and palm oil.

Ong said the electrical and electronics sector make up 25% of exports, not rubber and palm oil.

“If you need further clarification or details, you can ask Pontian and Jeli,” he said, referring to former ministers Ahmad Maslan and Mustapa Mohamed, who were deputy international trade and industry minister and minister respectively.

He also said Malaysian vendors in the automotive industry were capable, already supplying 80% of the components needed by the industry. – October 17, 2018.