The PM's statement on post Afta car prices, confirms what we have suspected all along: That the national car industry, especially Proton, is not viable.

When Malaysia sought to postpone implementing Afta in 2003, we told other Asean members we needed more time because of the 1997 financial crisis. It was obvious to the others, especially Thailand, that it was because of Proton. That's why the Thais are fuming mad at us!

It is happening all over again. Proton is another in the long list of extravagant or mismanaged projects that have cost the country dearly, namely Perwaja, the Twin Towers, MSC, Langkawi and MAS. Come to think of it, it's very difficult to identify even one really successful project mooted by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The only explanation is that these projects were not subjected to any in-depth study or analysis, but merely a 'brilliant idea' that was bulldozed through in Parliament.

The saddest part is that the rakyat (citizens) have to pay for every sen of it; money which could have been put to better use elsewhere. Even Umno backbenchers are now questioning Perwaja, but the retort from Mahathir is expected: the particular MP does not know the details.

If an Umno MP cannot get information on government projects, how can we blame the citizenry for suspecting the worst? There is no transparency and accountability.

I think we the rakyat have tolerated this kind of nonsense for too long and the government should therefore realise that we need more accountability in the spending of our money.