Seriously, why should anyone listen to the ex-prime minister on his opinion on the future of Proton?

He has had 20 years to make Proton a success and he has failed. After 20 years, which is a long time in a business sense, Proton remains uncompetitive in the international market or even in the domestic market.

If not for the protection given by the government by way of tariff protection, Proton would not have been able to compete with other brands. What is the point of having a business which does not make profits?

And talking about foreign partners, did not Proton have Mitsubishi as its partner for the last 20 years? What has that done for Proton? Its main models are still using a 20-year-old engine, I am told.

The ex-prime minister should just admit that Malaysia is just not cut out to be a car manufacturer and finish off this project rather than continue to flog a dead horse at the huge expense of the people.