KOTA Kinabalu Umno Youth today called on carmaker Proton to set up a plant in Sabah as part of the national carmaker’s plans after being acquired by China’s Geely.

Its chief Mohd Bahrin Abdul Karim said Sabah would be a strategic place for Proton to build its plant outside of Peninsular Malaysia.

“Sabah is located at the centre of the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines - East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga), with its population of more than 60 million people,” he said at the opening of the Kota Kinabalu Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri delegates’ meeting.

The meeting was officiated by Finance Minister II Johari Abdul Ghani. Also present were Kota Kinabalu Umno chief Faisyal Diego and deputy Seruji Nawawi.

China auto giant Zheijang Geely Holding Group had acquired a 49.9% stake in the Malaysian carmaker in May.

Bahrin said Sapanggar port was undergoing a massive transformation to become a trans-shipment hub and would be a world-class port in 10 years, with direct links to the BIMP-Eaga markets, like Brunei and Kalimantan.

He said the time was right for automakers to grab the opportunity to tap into the market, adding that Sapanggar Port is also expected to be the port of call for numerous international liners as it was located at the centre of the eastern and western shipping routes.

“Proton is the only automaker in Asean that has the capacity to carry out its own research and development, as well as a solid production facility. Sabah wants to be part of its expansion and would not want to miss the opportunity to be part of the motoring  industry.”

Bahrin said not only would the move create jobs for Sabahans, it would also reduce unemployment in the state.

He also proposed that Proton’s parent company, DRB-Hicom, to open a branch in Sabah as a first step towards the move. – August 12, 2017.