BUMIPUTERA vendors in the automotive sector will require more training to harness their capabilities in marketing, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Dr Mahathir said Bumiputeras are mainly involved in production but lag behind when it comes to marketing.

“There is a need to correct this imbalance,” he said at a press conference after the launch of the National Automotive Policy 2020.

“Obviously, we realise certain weakness in terms of marketing.

“We need to provide training and expose (them) to experience where they can learn all about marketing, promoting products and etc, and of course, this will need money.”

Dr Mahathir also touched on the approved permits (AP) system for foreign vehicle imports, saying a certain amount of control was required to regulate an open market.

“We are a very open market. You see all kinds of cars being driven in Malaysia, but there is a need to have some control to ensure that there is no wrongdoing.

“That is why we need these licences and system of control because we need to check that what we sell here is of the quality declared by their manufacturers.”

Dr Mahathir said this was one way to protect consumers from “being taken for a ride.” – February 21, 2020.