Perhaps Proton not as safe as BMW after all

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YOURSAY Why not use Proton's flagship Accordana for the Asean Summit?

                                                           

Rafizi 'grateful' after proven wrong on BMW

 

Tailek: Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, no worries even if you didn’t get it right this time.

 

It's the constant questioning and checks and balances that are important, especially with the BN government that is not exactly the most frugal or financially prudent government in the world.

 

Keep it up mate. The rakyat are behind you and Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua all the time.

 

Commentable: It's good to be proven wrong once in a while. But under no circumstance should Rafizi be said to eat humble pie.

 

To the contrary, he should earn some praises instead. For he was only doing what is expected of him by his voters, that is, to be a vigilant and effective opposition watchdog, one that does not lie down and snooze.

 

He is constantly on the lookout and it is his immediate follow-up action that has kept the government and its authorities on their toes. Even in this case, he had at the very least got an immediate response from BMW.

 

What's important is the reciprocal clearing of the air and it was done by just a simple clarification.

 

It is this kind of "extraction" of information that we want to see more often in Malaysia because the country will definitely do well by getting rid of the present climate of fear, secrecy, cover-ups and sweeping under the carpet that has sadly stigmatised the whole BN government.

 

SteveOh: Still the question remains why Proton cars were not chosen for use during the important and highly publicised Asean Summit?

 

Everyone knows that it would have given the Malaysian national car - as good as BMW cars - a boost in free advertising.

 

In Australia, they don't use foreign cars but either a Holden or a Ford, household brands which are standard ministerial issue.

 

No one believes a Proton can ever be as good as a BMW and now the proof is in the decision to use the BMW. After all, did not former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad use a Proton Perdana? At least, he was consistent.

 

Wira: Rafizi, the government will tell you that:

i) Those BMWs are actually very cheap without taxes and tariffs. In the US and Europe, they sell for only RM280,000 to RM360,000.

 

ii) Those are specially made cars for the safety of top government officials, including for the use of our king.

 

iii) Those cars are also for the use of foreign dignitaries. Do you expect PMs and presidents of Zimbabwe or Somalia to be seated in a Proton even though we consider Protons to be as good and safe as BMWs?

 

Turvy: If any carmaker should sponsor any government function it ought to be Proton. They are the national carmakers.

 

There is value in displaying cars at functions like this. If it is not Proton, surely the sponsoring must be subject to tender and selection?

 

Abasir: Three questions: Why not use Proton's flagship Accordana for the event? What will happen to the BMWs after the event?

 

Why is the government promoting a foreign brand that is equal to and is a direct competitor to our Proton in all aspects?

 

JD Lovrenciear: MP, let us get it right once and for all. Stop sounding 'politically correct'.

 

It is not a case of being "extremely small and petty". It is the tip of an iceberg of arrogance, extravagance and absolute disregard to the realities on the wage earners' purses.

 

Gen2indian: I just returned from a supermarket in Bandar Kinrara, Kuala Lumpur and noticed the price of (mackerel) sardines has increased from RM7.17 in March to 7.69 today.

 

You are right, JD Lovrencier. This government has absolutely no feelings for the suffering of the ordinary people who make up the majority of the population.

 

If this BMW story is true, it only reinforces what we already know... a morally corrupt, arrogant, minority government that begs to be kicked out.

 

P Dev Anand Pillai: This is how they place the "knife" at our throats for more taxes, threaten us with more draconian legislation if we open our mouths but as they do this, they spend the tax monies collected on luxuries which beyond the means of us ordinary Malaysians.

 

But despite all this, we still have many who will believe that what they do is right and continue to endorse them every election.

 

Jaycee: Carry on the good work, Rafizi. There is nothing wrong with Rafizi asking for clarifications. After all, he is acting on the best interest of the majority who voted for the opposition.                         

Wira: Next time when you guys drive around in a Proton, imagine that you are in one of those BMWs bought with your goods and services tax (GST) money. You will feel better.


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