The cabinet has decided that Proton's position as a national car will be protected. Before drawing up policies and plans to protect Proton, the citizens of the country would like to be convinced that the decision to offer protection to Proton has been well-thought out.

The government owes its people a clear cost benefit analysis, before actions are taken to protect Proton. Obviously, if Proton is an inanimate treasure, like an antique, then a secured building would do the job; and the treasure would be able to generate some income for its upkeep. But Proton is a commercial enterprise. If this enterprise is needed for national security, such as the case of agriculture industries in some countries, protection could be considered.

Proton was supposed to produce cars, at least as for import substitution. For that purpose, the product should be cheaper, eventually, than imported goods of equivalent quality. It has failed in that regard, after having been given a captured market for umpteen years in the country.

In fact it had been said that the component parts produced in the country are more expensive than what could be obtained from other countries, and that Proton is actually subsiding those upstream industries. It would appear that the government not only has to protect Proton, but also all the dependents of Proton.

Further, the higher the local content of Proton gets, the more expensive would be the final product, compared to cars of equivalent class available abroad.

Much has been said about the position of a national car, but the term 'position' has never been clarified. Is it to be a reflection of the capability of Malaysia? Is it to be a measure of the degree of patriotism for owners of Proton car? Is it because the Proton project was created by a political strongman and so the project is elevated to a national status which would demand continued protection, lest failure of the project results in a 'loss of face'?

The concept of the term 'position' should be explained before the government commits public funds and makes the citizens incur a higher cost of living in order to give protection to Proton.