DAP plans to take on national carmaker Proton to seek answers to the many questions that are on the mind of 'every Malaysian' as stakeholders in the company.

"DAP (parliamentarians) will be seeking answers from Proton headquarters on Friday," said its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng at a press conference at the party's Bukit Bintang office in Kuala Lumpur today.

Foremost among the questions, he added, pertain to Proton's one euro (RM 4.50) sale of its 57.75 percent share in MV Agusta Motors to Gevi SPA after having bought the share in the motorcycle company for 70 million euros (RM 315 million) a year ago.

DAP would also ask the reasons behind Proton's tie-up with Japan's Mitsubishi Motors after Volkswagen last month scrapped plans for a strategic alliance with the former.

More generally, Lim said Proton also has to address questions about the company's prospects and ability to compete globally considering its allegedly declining performance locally.

"The first step to win back confidence is for Proton to demonstrate transparency, open accounting and full accountability," he added.

Proton had earlier this year stated that it had already declared what was appropriate to the Securities Commission (SC) regarding the MV Agusta sale and that it would not issue any further statements on the matter.

Lim said he agreed with both Proton advisor, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad , and former chief executive officer Mahaleel Tengku Ariff , who have called on the company to furnish more answers to the SC.

"Proton's refusal to given an explanation is unacceptable and contrary to the wishes of the government and not in the public's interest as they must be accountable to Malaysians who own Proton," he added.

Malaysians, he said, were doubly interested in Proton's performance not only because Khazanah Nasional, the government's investment arm, holds a 38 percent share in Proton, but as owners of Proton cars they had a stake in the changing market value of their automobiles.

Proton has seen a marked decline in market share, from enjoying 60 percent in 2002, 48 percent in 2003, to 44 percent in 2004. As of 31 July 2005, Proton's market share remains at 40 percent.

"Twenty-five million Malaysians want answers," stressed the opposition leader.

Kebaya controversy

On another matter, Lim called on Deputy Information Minister Zainudin Maidin (who this afternoon was promoted to Information minister) to resign following his 'attack' on Tamil newspapers for claiming that female Tamil newscasters on state television RTM had been directed to wear the baju kebaya when on duty.

Zainudin said there had been no such directive, claiming it was merely a request to cooperate by wearing the traditional Malay dress. He warned the papers against 'reporting irresponsibly' and risking causing dissatisfaction among the Indian community.

Lim claimed that he had proof of the directive in the form of a copy of the Tamil TV's duty-roster.

"I think it's very clear that the Tamil newspapers are not lying. Making threats against the Tamil newspapers is of course not in accordance with freedom of the press.

"We are also disappointed that he (Zainuddin) holds such extremist and irresponsible views when he knows that such instructions were issued," he said.

Also slamming the 'request' was DAP international secretary P Ramasamy, who described the incident as "very serious" and disconcerting for cultural rights.