Cooperation with Geely saves Proton employees: Najib

KUANTAN: The move by DRB Hicom in choosing Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely) as a strategic partner is apt in ensuring Proton, the national car manufacturer, continues to be competitive locally and at international level, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
He said there was no intervention from the government in the matter, and that the decision was made by the management of DRB Hicom and Proton based on Geely's merit in dominating most of the world's leading automotive company shares.
"Geely is highly advanced and has huge research and development (R&D) fund of billions a year, apart from having large markets for its vehicles. In fact, the company is also the owner of the Volvo brand which has all the while being dominated by Sweden.
"Besides that, 10% of the shares in Mercedes Benz is also owned by the Geely Group. Imagine the benefits when we become a strategic partner to a company that is strong and solid like that. It is not only based with China alone but also multi-national cooperation," he said.
He said this in his speech at an event with the staff of DRB-Hicom and the launch of the Pekan People's Housing project (PPR) here today.
The event was also attended by DRB-Hicom managing director Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar Syed Ali Rethza Albar.
Najib said as the country's prime minister, he was willing to put aside politics and provide funds for R&D, as well as easy loans to continue to safeguard the welfare of Proton employees.
"The truth is, we never compromise on the country's sovereignty, it is Proton's right to take Geely as a strategic partner to ensure the future of Proton is full of hope.
"If we play with emotional sentiments alone, but fail and suffer loses in business, then it is a mentality that brings no benefit to the country,' he said.
As such, Najib regarded the action by the opposition in threatening to terminate the contract with China would only be a loss to the country, if China reacted by ordering Geely to cease becoming a strategic partner to Proton.
He said the action by the opposition would certainly place DRB-Hicom and Proton workers at a risk of losing their jobs.
On the other hand, Najib said a different approach was made by the Barisan Nasional (BN) government, which had direction and always gave priority to people’s interests, before making any decision.
At the event, Najib, who is the incumbent Pekan Member of Parliament, brought good news to the people of Pekan with the announcement on the construction of 500 PPR houses, costing RM103.6 million, and would be equipped witha surau, community hall. kindergarten and shops.
"The cost of building each house, measuring 700 sq ft is RM207,382, but the selling price is RM35,000 only, meaning the buyers will receive government subsidy of RM172,382.
"The government pays subsidy which is higher than than the selling price. For those who can’t afford tp buy, we have the rent to own scheme with payment of RM250 a month for 25 years ,” he added.
Najib received an applause from the about 2,500 staff of DRB-Hicom when he announced that the company staff working in Pekan would be given priority for ownership of 20 per cent of the houses to be built in July this year and expected to be ready in two and a half years.
He said since the PPR project was introduced in 2001, the government had approved the construction of 118,150 units of houses nationwide, involving 209 projects.
Construction of 125 of the projects, involving 85,198 units of houses, are completed, and in Pahang, 3,668 units of the 5,469 houses are completed, involving an allocation of RM559.1 million.
Najib also announced incentive payment of RM500 for all the 60,000 DRB-Hicom staff to be paid this April 30. — Bernama