By Sim Kwang Yang
When I was working and studying in Canada in the mid 1970s, a brand new Canadian made car cost about C$8,000. The minimum wage then was C$4 per hour. I used to be paid C$7 per hour. In one day, a double shift would bring me C$100 or more. My university mate Desmond from South Africa bought a second hand car for C$500, and it served him well in those harsh winter conditions.
When I returned to Kuching in 1978, I could not afford a car on my monthly salary of RM500 a month. Then in 1982, when I was elected MP, I bought my first car, a Toyota Corolla 1.3 for RM18,000. The monthly repayment for the car loan was about RM200, hardly a burden on my take home pay of RM2,400 as a MP.
When I traded it in for a Nissan Sentra 1.6, it cost me RM36,000. It was still quite affordable.
After the appearance of our national car, the whole landscape has changed.
To make sure that Malaysians buy only national cars, the government practises a highly protectionist policy in the car industry. Foreign imported cars are charged with a very high tax levy of 150%, I think. The highly priced import Aps were given to connected companies and individuals only.
Without competition from freely imported cars, the car prices in Malaysia have rocketed sky high. We are now compelled to support a very inefficient company making and selling our national cars.
A few years ago, I went to Bangkok for a holiday. I was surprised to see that the use Toyota Camry cars for taxis. I asked the taxi driver how much did it cost for him to buy a new Camry. He said it cost him about B400,000 or RM40,000. It is cheap because it manufactured in Thailand.
What kind of luxury cars can you buy with RM40,000 in Malaysia?
Unfortunately in Malaysia, we must prove that Malaysia Boleh, so we must have our own national car, even though our national Proton cars are still based on the Mitsubishi model in Japan.
The public transport system is hardly systemic, so in large urban centres throughout Malaysia, a car has become a necessity in life. The end result is monstrous traffic congestion and horrendous air-pollution everywhere.
Then I came across a posting on the subject by Syed Akbar Ali in his blog Outsyed the Box. I have taken the liberty of producing his article below. I must remind readers between the income parity between USA and Malaysia. The per capita income for USA is USD36,000 while that for Malaysia is USD3,600 or so per annum.
Car Prices : Secret Weapon To Win (Or Lose) The Next General Elections
By Syed Akbar Ali
There is one surefire method of increasing the average Malaysian’s monthly disposable income by 15% to 25% without the Government incurring a single sen in expenditure of taxpayer’s money or causing runaway inflation. This can be done before the next General Elections too. And that is by removing all import duties and restrictions on motorcars and vehicles and removing the redundant AP regime.
This will also immediately stop the ongoing impoverishment of a large number of Malay bumiputras caused by the high duties placed on motor vehicles. Malays make up by far the largest number of car buyers in the country today.
If this is done quickly enough, it will also ensure a win for the BN in the next General Elections. First lets look at some car prices.
BMW 535i sells for RM178,000 in the US
In the United States of America (a developed country which we are also aspiring to become by the year 2020) a 2009 model BMW 535i Sedan is selling for about USD50,367.00. This is only RM178,000 – about the price of a Toyota Camry 2.4L here in Malaysia. The same BMW sells in Malaysia for about RM450,000.
BMW 328i sells for RM155,000 in the US
The 2009 model BMW 328i 2 door Convertible sells for USD44,014 or RM155,369.00 in the US. In Malaysia the same car sells for over RM460,000. This is an untenable situation.
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Audi A4 2 Door 2.0T Cabriolet Convertible sells in the US for USD40,328.00
The 2009 model Audi A4 2 Door 2.0T Cabriolet Convertible sells in the US for USD40,328.00 or RM142,357. In Malaysia the same car would sell for about RM265,000.
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VW GTI 2.0T sells for RM85,000 in the US
In the US the 2009 model Volkswagen GTI 2.0T sells for USD 24,039 or RM85,000 only. In China the same car will cost around RM60,000. Over here the same VW car sells for about RM200,000.
And the 2010 model Toyota Camry 2.4L sells in the US for USD 19,659.00 or RM69,396 In Malaysia the 2008 Toyota Camry 2.4L sells for RM170,000.
Toyota Camry 2.4L, 2010 model. RM69,000 in the US
Car prices in Malaysia are about three times higher than the prices in the United States. We are a developing nation. Our land and labour costs are so much cheaper than the US. Why are our cars so expensive? It does not make any sense. Tak masuk akal.
Then here are some car prices from our neighbour Indonesia. The Toyota Altis sells in Indonesia for about RM46,000. The same car sells here for around RM 112,000. Again we are three times more expensive than Indonesia.
The Honda Jazz sells here for RM108,000. In Indonesia the Jazz sells for RM 36,000. Three times more expensive.
We are paying ridiculously high prices (and actually impoverishing the Malays – who are the largest buyers of cars in Malaysia) to support an out of date, out of touch with reality motor car policy.
We are paying the highest car prices in the world to support the Proton and other locally made cars as well as support a mind boggling AP policy which only benefits a relatively few rich Malays. A disproportionately large number of Malays and other Malaysians are being impoverished to subsidise the wealth of a few inefficient rich.
26 million Malaysians have to pay three times more for their cars just to support Proton and 120,000 people who are directly and indirectly involved in the motor sector in Malaysia and the AP holders. That is a ratio of 216:1.
This ratio of 216:1 is too skewed. 26.0 million happier people can contribute many more votes than 120,000 members of an inefficient motor industry. 26 million unhappy people can change a Government. (The maths is not really difficult here)
And this outdated policy is impoverishing the Malays more than anyone else.
Here is some news from our DPM Tan Sri Muhyudin Yassin about our car policy. This is truncated:
Muhyiddin assures govt support for automotive parts and component sector
1. KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — The deputy prime minister said special focus will be given to “facilitate and encourage” the development of the automotive parts and component sector despite the current global and regional economic downturn.
2. “Under the CEPT and Asean Trade in Goods Agreements, Malaysia has agreed to eliminate import duties on all products in the Normal Track on January 1, 2010. This includes motor vehicles, auto parts and components,” he said.
3. He pointed out that . . . the motor vehicle sub sector in Malaysia will not be directly impacted because of its heavy dependence on the domestic market.
4. “The Malaysian government recognises the contribution of the domestic automotive industry towards the development of the country.”
Para 2 sounds promising but then Para 3 and 4 basically says that the Malaysian motor car industry will continue to be protected. This means we will continue paying the highest car prices in the world for automobiles.
” Cuba kita kira : kalau kereta Honda Jazz di jual dengan harga yang sebenarnya (lebih kurang RM36,000 saja) dan bukan pada harga sekarang (RM108,000) maksudnya bayaran bulanan pembeli kereta akan jadi kurang, mungkin sepertiga sahaja daripada bayaran bulanan sekarang.
Jika sekarang orang bayar RM1,500 sebulan untuk beli Honda Jazz, kalau harga kereta lebih menepati harga pasaran dunia, orang kita perlu bayar sekitar RM500 saja sebulan.
Maksudnya tanpa Kerajaan perlu membuat apa pun (merangsang ekonomi, belanja berpuluh billion Ringgit duit rakyat untuk stimulus dan sebagainya) setiap rakyat Malaysia yang membeli kereta yang seharga dengan Honda Jazz akan dapat menjimatkan sehingga RM1,000 sebulan daripada kos sara hidup bulanannya.”
This is like giving the car buyer an RM1000 pay rise without incurring any extra costs for the taxpayer, the Government or the economy. It will greatly reduce the cost of living in Malaysia and spur greater economic growth too.
Tapi sekarang, yang menjadi mangsa dulu dan yang menjadi miskin dulu orang Melayu juga. Orang Melayu yang paling ramai sekali menjadi pembeli kereta dalam negara kita. Orang Melayu kebanyakannya makan gaji – tiap bulan dapat gaji tetap. Bila harga kereta naik gila, yang menjadi miskin di saf depan sekali adalah orang Melayu juga.
In absolute numbers, the Malays are suffering the most because they are the most in number among the fixed income people who also buy cars.
Some folks said the other day that Proton has 150 major component suppliers, dealers, distributors and about 500 other parts suppliers too. Of the 150 major component suppliers, about 15 of them are listed companies. In total they employ about 120,000 people. The Proton supply chain is a mix of bumiputras and non bumiputras. But here is a sad fact : none of them are operating at their level best efficiency.
Our motor car policy is forcing Malaysians to subsidise Proton so that Proton can sustain major inefficiencies in the Malaysian economy. This is not a good thing at all.
We have to unwind this situation. Set a target of 18 months from now to unwind all protection for our motor industry. Remove the impoverishing AP policy also in 18 months. Let Malaysian car prices reflect world market prices for the same makes of cars.
If a BMW 535 sells for RM178,000 in America, it should sell for a little less here in Malaysia (our rentals and salaries are cheaper).
The Ministers continue making pronouncements about the car industry as though nothing has happened. I hope everyone will please wake up. The Government has a real chance of getting thrown out of office in about three years. The people will not accept inept answers anymore.
The ridiculous car prices in Malaysia is an issue that is just beginning to get more attention and publicity. It is going to become a really big issue in the near future. Be forewarned.
najis and the whole cabinet must be thrown out of the country, its the only way
Comment by art cchew — January 22, 2012 @ 5:53 PM |
proton pesona in australia costs $12K, and comes with 5 yr warranty. 12×3= about rm 36K. malaysians have to pay more for the locally produced car, and no 5 yr warranty.
memang zalim.
Comment by mr huhu — October 30, 2011 @ 11:27 PM |
boycott, boycott – is an act of voluntarily abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with a person, organization, or country as an expression of protest, usually for political reasons. It can be a form of consumer activism.
Comment by mike — October 14, 2011 @ 9:35 AM |
boycott, boycott, boycott – is an act of voluntarily abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with a person, organization, or country as an expression of protest, usually for political reasons. It can be a form of consumer activism.
Comment by mike — October 14, 2011 @ 9:33 AM |
Take from the rakyat and subsidise a small elite group …. wonder when the rakyat will come to their senses …..we deserve better than this bullshit ….the problem “with some portion of our rakyat is dapat sikit sudah cukup mentality” …they don’t think if they are sqeezed thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars every year… when budget time comes…they got back a few hundred…attractive u decide yourself…..hahaha…Wake Up …b4 it’s too late…
Comment by CommonSense — October 13, 2011 @ 5:58 PM |
My family and I bought an imported Kia Picanto 1.1cc in 2007. The price of the car listed in the import documents, before taxes, etc was RM7900.00 (Yes, seven thousand nine hundred ringgit). Guess how much we actually paid for the car? We paid RM53,000.00 ++ including insurance.
I will never ever support and buy local cars, or local anything, if I can help it. We’re given the cheapest quality materials in our vehicles while the ones they import are of international standard. Where is the fairness?
Comment by Alias — October 10, 2011 @ 3:11 PM |
While in principle I agree with this article, it would really suck for those of us who have already taken hire-purchase loans to purchase a slightly better foreign car like the Honda City or Toyota Vios (hardly luxury cars) and would continue to have to pay the high premiums and suffer a drastic drop in the second hand value of the car.
Comment by Noel — October 10, 2011 @ 12:23 PM |
100% agree PROTON Overpriced.. Protectionism.. To hell with Proton.. Burden majority Malaysian aje dasar ni.. Nak belai biawak hidup sekor ni rege kereta 1Malaysia overpriced.. Majority 1Malaysia stress dek beban hutang.. Dah 25 tahun pun bacul lg.. Bapok ke apa Proton ni..
Comment by To Hell With Protectionism — April 13, 2011 @ 4:57 AM |
Why Malaysian cars so expensive?
Easy answers..80% actual price, 10% for government tax profits and 10% for Corrupted Cronies(if this not included,every cars will be much cheaper)
Comment by babai — December 25, 2010 @ 10:46 PM |
Overall, we are paying min of 20% more on any car we buy. So what we gonna do with it…..
Comment by Headhunter4million — December 25, 2010 @ 1:05 PM |
Ya saya setuju harga kereta di Malaysia mahal nak mampus.. overpriced.. Gila betul! Percentage kecil dari total potential buyer sahaja betul2 boleh bayar bulanan tanpa masalah.. Mari ramai2 hantar bantahan.. Nanti kita semua boleh beli kereta dengan harga sepatutnya! proton car patutnya 20% lower price.. cekik darah!
Comment by rauf — December 25, 2010 @ 4:36 AM |
Protectionist policies are well and good for the first decade or so, but this is getting ridiculous. National automaker or not, these policies are handicapping Proton, severely inflating their ego that they are “competing”, and competing quite well at that, in the automotive industry. In reality, it’s the price disparity more than any sense of nationalistic pride that drives Malaysians to buy their national cars.
Perodua may have jolted them out of their bubble for the moment, but as long as the Malaysian policies of overtaxing foreign vehicles remain in place, it remains to be seen if Perodua will go down the same slippery path as Proton did.
Comment by zedlx — October 6, 2010 @ 5:22 PM |
I agree that the car price in Malaysia, sometimes more expensive than house. Large sum of pay is paid for car installment and majority of the buyers take a loan for ridiculously 9 years period! (Optimumly, it should be maximum 5 years). Once you want to change a car, your existing outstanding is still there. However, I am in the opinion that it is not solely because of government policy. In the 1970s, the pay is low, the population is low, the economy is slow and the demand for cars is low. Nowadays, people still purchase cars whatever the price. It is a matter of supply and demand. The population is almost 30 million. Furthermore, Malaysia is small and lacks economic of scale as compare to US. Majority of other countries, many of their people could not purchase cars. Although Singapore is ahead of us economically, their people have difficulties buying cars and landed properties in Singapore. For me I believe the best comparison is the purchasing power, with the money you get how much/many you can purchase. It is no used if your salary is RM1 million per month but the car price is RM50 million. I always believe in purchasing power. In the 1970s, there are not many professionals, Dr, Ir, accountants, etc but today they are everywhere. Even the price of house also very high, semi-d could catch RM1 million. I believe government is doing their best. In the 1970s, only the professionals and fortunate businessmen could make money but today Malaysians can make money anywhere and everywhere.
Comment by Dino — November 24, 2010 @ 11:55 PM |
Wow those prices are crazy! By importing cars doesnt mean people will forget the native models it just makes people resent them after a while
Comment by cabriolet cars — August 16, 2010 @ 6:03 PM |
[...] and duties and taxes on foreign cars and then dole out APs as political favours. Not only do we pay more per monthly income for our homemade cars than other nations do for their [...]
Pingback by Outrageous – Saudis Pay Tens of Thousands Less Than Malaysians For PROTON Cars « BUUUUURRRRNING HOT — May 27, 2010 @ 1:02 PM |
After reading all this and we can have one conclusion, 1 Malaysia is just a slogan, never going to happen. 1 Malaysia is only for those rich bastard and not for all the people in Malaysia. I know why when I heard the advert in radio or tv about 1 Malaysia, I feel like I want to vomit, this explain a lot.
Our government is just a bunch of people that only care for themselves, they are the most selfish people on earth, so please, all of us don’t be fool by our selfish government anymore, they are just a bunch of NATO (No Action, Talk Only) people.
Comment by 1 Malaysia — March 25, 2010 @ 1:48 PM |
Maybe we should learn from developed country like Japan. The government should first improve our public transport system and make it more accessible, reliable and cheap for the public to use. Even with the reduction or cut in cars tax, the public would prefer to use public transport for its reliability and cost effective. With this, the people won’t have to worry about buying car, car insurance, depreciation, etc and can start thinking more important things. This is how Malaysia should looks like in the future. JMHO
ed
Comment by ED — March 24, 2010 @ 8:37 PM |
Agree, the current arrangement is screwed up. But I doubt there will be any change soon, unless the government is changed by us.
I agree with Kenny above. By removing or reducing tax on cars, it will affect the government.
“This is like giving the car buyer an RM1000 pay rise without incurring any extra costs for the taxpayer, the Government or the economy. It will greatly reduce the cost of living in Malaysia and spur greater economic growth too.”
First sentence is partially incorrect since it affects the government. But the 2nd sentence is very true and the govt can actually earn more this way.
Comment by pejaz — March 12, 2010 @ 5:35 PM |
I have to RM600 a month for myvi. itu pun wa sakit hati woooooooo
Comment by nick chan — February 10, 2010 @ 1:53 PM |
yes, i agree with the writer that cars in Malaysia are of exhorbitant price! It is just too ridiculous to be paying that a much… come on… salaries are peanuts for majority of Malaysians but prices of necessity eg. cars and a house are just too pricey.
I have been delaying and delaying to buy a car which I really need to get me to work… just a myvi is around Rm45-RM48K which I can get a good car overseas… sigh…
Sorry, next election BE END with BN.
Comment by elaine chai — November 9, 2009 @ 5:41 PM |
Actually we can start a Green Campaign to buy ONLY second hand cars. This is one way to exercise the Rakyat civil disobedience to bring the Goverment ears to start listening and not continuing to protect the 120,000 or so Proton beneficiaries. I think 18 months is too long, let’s start Jan 1, 2010. The government has also announced that the petrol price will follow world market price, so the AP should also be dismantled same time as this. What you guys think ?
Comment by mk — November 5, 2009 @ 10:32 PM |
Malaysia mengenakan duti eksais antara tertinggi di dunia..
bayangkan Hyundai Accent sebuah kereta yang sama besar dan spec dengan Proton Pesona
dijual dengan harga RM20,+++ lebih mahal!
walaupun kereta import (yang CKD pun tak jauh beza)sangat mahal,TOL lebuhraya perlu dibayar..
sia-sia buat lebuh raya (yang bertujuan menyenangkan rakyat) tapi rakyat kena menanggung kos
unutk melaluinya.. mana TANGGUNGJAWAB kerajaan???
Comment by NBL — September 9, 2009 @ 1:26 PM |
Buying cars is probably the heaviest expense of middle class Malaysian families over the long term. Most families will buy a house only once but a car has to be changed every 8-10 years. Then again, most middle class families have to buy 2 cars.
I do not think that cheaper cars will make a big difference to traffic on the roads. Most people buy a car out of necessity due to our atrocious transport system. It’s whether they bear a heavier or lighter burden.
Unfortunately this govt has become addicted to high taxes from cars so lifting protection for Proton may not necessarily mean cheaper car prices. Car prices also need to come down in stages in order not to upset the market. The Malaysian car market has been screwed up really bad and repair may take a decade. Unfortunately I don’t see any political will to start this process to bring our car prices down to world market level. Malaysians will continue to pay artificial prices for cars in the near future.
Comment by Kenny — September 8, 2009 @ 10:50 AM |
Here is the response from our formal PM.
1. Saya berasa amat sedih kerana terdapat ramai daripada Melayu yang terpelajar menolak Dasar Ekonomi Baru kononnya DEB menguntungkan hanya segelintir daripada kroni pemimpin Kerajaan terutama semasa saya menjadi Perdana Menteri.
2. Mereka ini cuma nampak beberapa kerat peniaga dan pengusaha Melayu yang berjaya. Pendapat mereka ialah semua yang berjaya tentulah kerana mereka kroni, terutama kroni Perdana Menteri. Kata mereka kejayaan Melayu bergantung bukan kerana apa mereka tahu tetapi siapa mereka tahu. Ayat ini datang daripada kecaman orang tertentu yang asalnya dalam bahasa Inggeris iaitu, “It is not what you know but who you know”, yang memberi kejayaan. Penggunaan ayat ini oleh orang Melayu sendiri membuktikan betapa mudah minda mereka dipengaruhi oleh orang lain supaya mereka sendiri akan memburukkan diri mereka.
3. Sebelum saya bincang samada benar atau tidak benar tuduhan ini, izinkan saya jelas sedikit akan Dasar Ekonomi Baru.
4. Matlamat ringkas DEB ialah;
a. Membasmi kemiskinan tanpa mengira kaum
b. Menghapuskan identifikasi kaum dengan fungsi ekonomi
5. Semasa DEB dilancar kemiskinan dalam Negara adalah lebih daripada 40 peratus. Hari ini kemiskinan telah turun pada lima peratus. Matlamat pertama jelas telah tercapai. Majority daripada yang miskin adalah Melayu dan Bumiputera lain.
6. Bagi matlamat kedua, kejayaan yang terbesar DEB ialah dalam bidang pelajaran. Ramai Bumiputera telah mendapat peluang dalam bidang-bidang profesional sehingga dalam bidang perubatan daripada hanya 8-10 peratus sahaja doktor perubatan yang terdiri daripada Melayu dan Bumiputera, sekarang bahagian mereka berjumlah 40 peratus. Ramai yang menjadi pakar.
7. Demikian juga dalam profesyen lain, pensyarah dan profesor dalam universiti.
8. Jumlah mereka beratus ribu. Apakah mereka yang mendapat pelajaran sehingga ke universiti semuanya daripada keluarga yang kaya yang ada hubungan dengan pemimpin Kerajaan? Apakah mereka mampu mendapat pelajaran ini tanpa DEB? Apakah bagi mereka ini DEB tidak berguna?
9. Berkenaan agihan saham dibawah DEB. Apabila ramai individu Bumiputera mendapat saham dari IPO (Initial Public Offer), semuanya menjual saham dengan serta-merta. Kemudian mereka pohon untuk saham baru.
10. Keuntungan daripada jualan saham dihabis secara hangus.
11. Kerajaan boleh hentikan agihan saham pada Bumiputera. Tetapi ini akan menjadikan syarikat yang tersenarai tidak dimiliki sahamnya oleh Bumiputera sama sekali.
12. Oleh itu ditubuhnya Permodalan Nasional Berhad yang akan membeli saham Bumiputera, memasukkannya dalam unit trust (saham amanah) untuk dijual kepada semua Bumiputera kalaupun mereka boleh labur hanya RM10 sahaja.
13. Melalui sistem amanah saham PNB hari ini lebih lapan juta Bumiputera memiliki saham dalam syarikat-syarikat besar. Diadakan had jumlah yang boleh dimiliki oleh seseorang supaya yang kaya tidak bolot terlalu banyak saham.
14. Tanpa DEB tidak mungkin begitu ramai Bumiputera memiliki saham syarikat-syarikat gergasi. Dapatkah kita tolak DEB kerana hanya menguntungkan kroni sahaja. Tidak adakah orang lain yang juga dapat manfaat.
15. Sekarang berkenaan Bumiputera yang kaya raya. Jumlah mereka sudah beribu. Hampir semua mereka mendapat peluang daripada Kerajaan. Sebab?
16. Sebabnya ialah hanya Kerajaan dan agensi-agensinya sahaja yang memberi peluang kepada mereka. Umpamanya, tidak ada kontraktor Bumiputera yang dapat kontrak daripada orang lain. Kerajaan melayan mereka kerana DEB.
17. Apakah mereka terdiri daripada kroni? Mereka yang berjaya pada mulanya mendapat peluang kecil-kecilan daripada Kerajaan. Jika mereka jual peluang ini, samada kontrak, lesen, AP atau permit lain, mereka tidak akan dapat peluang berkali lagi.
18. Bagi yang tidak jual, yang usaha sendiri dan membuktikan kebolehan mereka memangpun mereka patut diberi lebih banyak lagi peluang. Justeru itu ada yang amat berjaya hingga menjadi jutawan.
19. Apakah mereka kroni? Memang yang berjaya akan dikenali oleh ramai termasuk Perdana Menteri. Kalau nak elak daripada ada yang dianggap sebagai kroni, caranya ialah dengan menentukan tidak ada sesiapapun daripada Bumiputera yang akan berjaya. Ini mudah sahaja. Sesiapa yang Nampak Berjaya jangan bagi kontrak, atau lesen lagi.
20. Walaupun demikian adalah diakui ada yang ditolong secara keterlaluan oleh Menteri. Tetapi jumlah mereka tidak ramai.
21. Apakah kerana penyelewengan yang sedikit ini kita harus tolak DEB? Kata Mat Salleh, “Do you throw out the baby with the water in the wash basin?”
22. Jika kita buat perhitungan yang ikhlas kita akan akui yang DEB memanfaatkan bukan segelintir tetapi berjuta-juta Bumiputera. Amatlah menyedihkan apabila ada Bumiputera yang juga mendapat menfaat dari DEB yang begitu sekali ingin mendapat label “liberal and non-racist” dengan cuba menghapuskan orang sebangsa mendapat peluang dari DEB.
Comment by William — September 7, 2009 @ 8:51 PM |
Car price in Malaysia is the most ridiculous. Take any country in the world and nobody is even close to us. It’s a sin that we motorists have to pay for AP when it is given absolutely free to the politically connected. It’s even better than growing money on trees. So much of our personal incomes goes into buying a car, and a lousy one at that. On the minus side, making car cheaper will definitely clog our roads. And knowing how Malaysians drive, the funeral parlours, hospitals, coffin makers and not forgetting traffic police will be laughing all the way to the bank.
Comment by Ah Beng — September 7, 2009 @ 6:14 PM |
Dear SKY,
This is a subject that is very close to my heart, because I am at present”carless” . I therefore thank you for writing about it.
Every time I think about buying a car, I think about my “blood sweat” money going towards the AP system & Proton, going towards pockets that have nothing to do with motoring or adding to the value of such.
I would stay “carless” if the public transport system in Kuching was close to predictable but alas it is in a deplorable state.
As a citizen, i am extremely upset that I am forced into this predicament. In trying to resolve the conflict I always look forward to statements about public transport/ the national automotive policy but I must confess I have yet to come across one that actually makes sense and that is practicable.
Recently the statements are regarding;
1. How to compete with Thailand’s automotive policy, they have becomed the regional hub for the car industry when they themselves do not have a national brand.
2. How the AP system have NOT benefited the bumiputras vis a vis the NEP.
3. How to find a “suitor” for Proton, in view that the Malaysian govt does not want the prospective partner to enforce “a badge change”
4. “Roundabout” talks, full of promises/platitudes but leading no where, much like Muhyidin’s speech above.
Therefore I am forced to conclude that the Malaysian govt. is still for protecting Proton whislt trying to recognise the futility of it all. The domestic market is being manipulated in such a way that we are forced to buy Proton or alternatively other cars at a much inflated price.
In doing so, I say that the BN govt are neglecting their social responsibility, To ensure that distribuition of wealth be as flat as possible. Their actions promotes unequal distribuition of wealth, they enrich a few (Proton & AP Holders) whislt they “paksa” the rakyat.
It is for this reason alone, the BN deserve to be relegated to the opposition benches.
Comment by Homeboy — September 7, 2009 @ 1:39 PM |