YOURSAY | 'Are there still national cars to be protected?'

Govt defends 'developmental' EV policy after Chinese carmaker reviews plant project

Fairperson: I live in Tanjung Malim and for months watched rapid development on the plot allocated to Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker BYD: trees felled, side roads levelled, excavators and lorries working around the clock.

Activity slowed about three weeks ago, and yesterday the worst fears were confirmed.

Young fruiting oil palms were razed to make way for the plant, destroying hopes for local youth who were counting on jobs at BYD.

Surrounding areas had already begun booming: speculators arrived, house prices and rents surged in anticipation of the factory.

Now those expectations have evaporated, leaving the community deeply disappointed.

BYD is a major international EV manufacturer with a leading global market share.

Turning it away sends a worrying signal to foreign investors: even multi‑billion‑ringgit opportunities can collapse under unclear or inconsistent policy decisions.

This decision risks a chain reaction - deterring other investors and damaging confidence in Malaysia’s investment climate and the competence of policymakers.

Imposing an effective RM200,000 threshold for EVs, purportedly to protect existing local players, is excessive and counterproductive.

Was this restriction not settled during initial approvals? Why act only after construction had begun?

Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Johari Abdul Ghani’s remarks sounded reactive and unprofessional rather than a considered, industry‑forward policy.

The community deserves transparent, consistent decision‑making that protects local livelihoods and Malaysia’s reputation as an investment destination.

BlueCougar1744: Stop the twist and turn. The policy does not augur well for foreign investment.

Many others are watching how this will play out. You want their investment, and at the same time, bind their arms and legs.

Sorry, they will invest elsewhere. Remember, the investment involves employing locals for work.

Do not misrepresent Proton, which is 51 percent foreign owned.

Why must we protect inefficient companies?

Why must we be made to pay more when we can pay less for more? What logic?

Protectionism of the indefensible in the economic development of the automobile industry is a no-go. Only fools subscribe to this.

Warm Skies: No, no and no! The ministry cannot preset local sales volumes for BYD to 10,000 units and sales prices to above RM200,000.

The RM100,000 condition was up to the end of December 2025.

Is the ministry ensuring that the rakyat will be literally forced to pay much more for BYD cars, although prices can be lower and more competitive?

Are we back to the bad old days when the government of the day gave protected status to Proton, and sales and public confidence slumped until Proton nearly closed shop, if not without Geely's takeover.

It is appalling that the ministry is derailing BYD's investment.

Should there be no further review of the conditions, and BYD pulls out, then we say “padan muka” (serves you right) to the ministry and to the investment, trade, and industry minister.

Johari, no need for further clarification and stupid explanations.

When Malaysia should be cherishing and drawing in all investors, you are, in effect, kicking them out. Shame on you, Johari and Miti.

Outlier: Let’s get it right. Proton is now 49 percent owned but majority managed by a Chinese company.

Effectively, its economic interest exceeds 51 percent in reality when you include the Chinese parts and technology licence fee.

Perodua is the same thing. On paper, it is majority-owned by Malaysian interests, but when you factor in imported engine technology, licence fees, and various parts from Thailand, the Japanese economic interest exceeds 51 percent.

So in reality, both Proton and Perodua are actually rebadged Chinese and Japanese cars.

It’s time we stop kidding ourselves that we have a Malaysian car. Made in Malaysia on Malaysian land, yes, but effectively everything else makes it an overseas car.

Even the labourers are migrant workers.

What Johari should be admitting is that he is really only protecting the vested interests of the approved permit (AP) holders, which we all know is made up of a particular special interest group that does nothing but just give out the licences.

These guys are worried that their “goyang kaki” (lazing around) days are over, with better-looking, sportier, and cheaper Chinese cars competing with their outdated marquee petrol-guzzling cars.

JusticeNow!: This protectionist policy for so call "national car" has resulted in Rakyat Malaysia having to pay a premium for any imported car, and making transportation the highest cost of living contributor that can be avoided.

The domino effect of high transportation costs can be seen in building, food, energy, etc, and its knock-on effect on everything in Malaysia.

For the sake of "pride" and 30,000 to 40,000 workers, 32 million Malaysians are paying the price the day "Proton" was born!

It was a failed project until Geely "saved" it; it should have been left to die, and the automotive industry liberated so that the Rakyat can breathe and focus on other, more important things. Automotive manufacturers can easily absorb thousands of workers!

Annus horriiblis: Are there still "national" cars to be protected?

Just wondering whether the supposed inclusion of Daihatsu and Geely in the industry makes it less "national".

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