Proton and Government Contract

Tun Mahathir said today in the newspaper, Proton might as well “close shop” if there’s so much criticism on its competitiveness level. Several days ago, the local car manufacturer was among the bottom dwellers compared to other car manufacturer. For me the comment was made in a sulking mode. You know the usual old man kind of answer. Like the answer given by our fathers when you didn’t do something for him or whenever we say no to him. That is the approach taken by Tun Mahathir now.

But I’d like to comment on the statement itself. I mean, if a critic comes and say you are not up to the level you’re supposed to be, then you should work towards enhancing your product quality etc. etc. Not sulk and say never mind we close shop. Is that the “advise” given from the adviser of Proton? If that is the case, you don’t need him as the adviser, you can appoint me (a 30 year old lawyer) as the adviser. I mean other measures can be taken to answer to criticism and prove to the critic that they are wrong. Proton can in one way find solution to make their car a better product as compared to imported cars or at least be competitive with Perodua (a much younger company compared to Proton).

Proton says in their reply to the criticism that they are responsible towards the development of local vendors. Ironically, Proton seems to accept all kind of part. Didn’t they have certain measures to ensure that the local vendors comply with Proton’s specifications? Proton should take the stand and say that those who are not able to comply to the specification and requirement set by Proton, then these local vendors should have been given the axe. Not Proton itself “close shop”.

I think this is where Datuk Sharir was coming from. Then to better enhance the productivity, Proton can look into joint ventures with other car manufacturers like what has been done by Perodua. I mean real joint ventures and not the situation where Proton buys old technology from other car manufacturers. This way Proton can send their “engineers” to take part in the design, development and the making of the car. Hopefully, after certain time, Proton is able to stand on its own in the real sense and produce quality cars and may be other products like engines for other car companies. That is the vision I think. Not sulk when people bombarded you with criticism.

I think the issue of Proton is much politicized. I know it is the brainchild of Tun Mahathir but if you keep defending Proton all the time and save them every time they are in trouble. Then I can assure everybody that Proton will need to undergo a massive company restructuring exercise due to too much intervention.

Then the second reporting in the newspaper which caught my attention today was the issue on the contract between the Government and a developer for the proposed police quarters in Kedah. The project was somehow or rather delayed and I don’t know what happed, the Government cannot take action against the developer. The Member of Parliament for Yan, Datuk Badruddin Amiruldin alleged that there are loopholes in the contract where the Government interest was not protected in the agreement. How can these happen? I thought all those in the Attorney General Chamber are smart people or they are just as “sheepish” as the Government MP’s in the Parliament. Yes Sir I have no other question. For you who like to play command and conquer, that is the best example of the structure of the Malaysian Government now. Yes Master, as you wish. Why I say sheepish? Because none of the Government legal adviser from the AG to the state legal adviser saw the loophole. Come on, I am a young lawyer and I can see a “glitch” in an agreement what more a legal adviser and the AG.

But nobody realised that it’ll cost the Government quite a chuck of money which can be given to those who eat snails. That is my money. Tax payers’ money. LHDN come after those who didn’t pay taxes but if we pay, the Government make an ass out of themselves. Remember another contract issue with Spanco? The Government is supposed to pay several million to terminate the contract. Another glitch from the AG Chamber and the Legal Adviser. Didn’t see the exit clause saying if the government terminates the agreement before the expiry then the Government have to pay several millions as liquidated damages. It makes you wonder, whether those in the AG Chamber and the Legal Advisory Department were doing their job or they are just plain “incapacitated” (I’m just being polite here).

(Important Message to the AG and State Legal Advisers: “If you are not capable of doing your job, then give up the post and let other people fill the post otherwise let me do the job. Don’t make this kind of idiotic mistake. It is a waste of the taxpayers’ money)

So with one issue or another, we ask ourselves one question and one question only. “Is this real?” I mean we let these people run our country? For the contract issue the police undertakes to investigate thoroughly and take the mastermind to face justice. But why bother because you know those so called mastermind is only the scapegoat. If we want to see justice in the real sense, then bring the “big fish” in then we see from there what kind of society we are living in today.