COUNTDOWN TO 14TH GENERAL ELECTION ELECTION

First attempt Vlogging in Bahasa Malaysia and I do hope it didnt sound too Kelantanese. One day I shall Vlog in Kelantanese dialect. Good night.

Should Malaysia Liberalise Its Automotive Industry After 30 Years of Protectionism?

Should Malaysia Liberalise Its Automotive Industry After 30 Years of Protectionism?

This question is both timely and complex. For three decades, Malaysia has maintained protectionist policies to nurture its automotive sector, particularly in support of national car projects. The debate now is whether the industry is ready to stand on its own or whether strategic protection remains necessary.

Interestingly, protectionism is not unique to Malaysia. The United States, despite being home to some of the world’s largest automakers, is currently reintroducing protectionist policies to safeguard its automotive and electric vehicle industries against global competition. Similarly, China has sustained protective measures for more than 62 years, ensuring that its domestic automotive sector remains competitive and strategically important.

The key consideration, therefore, is not simply whether Malaysia should liberalise, but how and when liberalisation should take place. A nuanced approach is needed to balance global competitiveness, industrial sustainability, and national interest.

PEDA WELCOMES ABDUL RASHID MUSA, PROTON EDAR 13TH CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Proton Holdings Berhad has appointed Abdul Rashid Musa as the new Proton Edar Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1 February 2017 replacing Rohime Shafie. Abdul Rashid Musa is the 13th Chief Executive Officer since Proton Edar's inception and the 4th CEO since DRB-Hicom took over Proton. 

We officially met the new CEO today on his second day in office to welcome him onboard and to introduce PEDA committee members line-up. Rashid is no stranger to PEDA and the dealers. When he was Proton Chief Technical Officer, we frequently brainstorm and exchange ideas.

Since my first encounter with Rashid, I have always thought he was in the wrong department (in Proton). A man who knew Proton cars inside out, Rashid is more of a sales man than an engineer. The 52 years old, soft spoken but firm gentleman speaks with strong enthusiasm and passion about Proton cars better than the best sales man in Proton.  

The fourth in a sibling of 10 has worked at 7 automotive factories before assuming his latest position as the Chief Executive Officer of Proton Edar. Rashid has been with Toyota, Proton, Mitsubishi Japan, Lotus UK, Mercedes-Benz, Suzuki and Volkswagen.

PROTON EDAR DEALERS CONFERENCE 2016: REFORMASI

Dato Ahmad Fuaad Kenali leading his team for a dialogue and Q&A forum with the dealers. 

These has been missing over the past many years.

23 April 2016. PUTRAJAYA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE. PROTON EDAR held its annual dealers convention for all its 4S / 3S / 1S + 2S dealers nationwide including Sabah and Sarawak. The registration starts as early as 730am. At 830am Dato Ahmad Fuaad Kenali, Dato Radzaif Mohamed, Rohimee Shafei, the board of directors and Proton Edar management was at the door to greet and welcome all the dealers into the hall.

The conference started at 845am sharp, have to give it a thumbs up for event punctuality. The Emcee took the floor and we started with a doa selamat followed by a welcoming speech by Rohimee Shafei, the new Proton Edar Chief Executive Officer. After Rohimee's speech, the much awaited Dato Fuaad Proton Holding Chief Executive Officer began his speech. 

Dato Ahmad Fuaad's speech was well structured, organised and eloquently delivered portraying his professionalism and a person of details. He put a good word for YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir thanking Tun for all his contributions and and his appreciation for former Proton Edar Chief Executive Officer Norzahid Zahudi. Most importantly, he acknowledges and assured PEDA's issues and requests will be accommodated and plead for all dealers to be united and champion a common goal. This was the second engagement we had with Dato Ahmad Fuaad. The first engagement was barely two weeks ago and he did leave quite a good impression. We know we are in good hands.

The dealers conference took the whole day from 8am and ends at 10pm. Part of the program was the viewing of the new Perdana, Persona and Proton Saga. I fell in love with all the cars. Have it my way, I would want to own all of it. These new models were built to be faster in 0-100 acceleration, cheaper cost of ownership in term of both fuel consumption and pricing and last but not least a more awesome design. 

PEDA FIRST ENGAGEMENT WITH NEW PROTON CHIEFTAINS

 Proton Edar Centre of Excellent 15 April 2016

15 April 2016. Proton Edar Dealers Association Malaysia (PEDA) had our first engagement with the new Chieftains of Proton. The meeting was chaired by Proton Holdings Berhad Chief Executive Officer Dato Ahmad Fuaad Kenali, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Dato Radzaif Mohamed, Proton Edar Chief Executive Officer Rohimee Shafie, heads from manufacturing and Proton Edar new heads of departments reappointed after some internal restructuring.

The meeting was held at Proton Edar Centre of Excellence in Shah Alam at 3pm. PEDA met for a short pre-council meeting at 2pm shortly before the scheduled engagement while the Chieftains received visits from the Minister of International Trade & Industry, Dato Sri Mustapa Mohamad whom was accompanied by Dato Sri Idris Jala, Dato Sri Wahid Omar together with other officials from the Ministry. 

It was heart warming to see all the important stakeholders at Proton but we could not help but to miss Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad whom was always at Proton the whole day for at least 3 times a week during his tenure as the Chairman.

The engagement was held at the Board room and PEDA committee took our seat at the same spot where we were always seated for more than a decade. Tuan Haji Razak Aziz, PEDA Vice President was right to highlight our corner of the table were seated by the same people, same dealer while the chair and those in the opposite table kept changing.

We cant really speak on the details of our engagement but we can share our first impression of the new management. All the new Chief were humble and seek to understand the network's predicament. A trait which is scarce of late but a few in the board room were still on a defensive mode. A few of inherited policies were immediately reverse to enable dealers to began maximizing their sales (thumbs up).  Dato Ahmad Fuaad was pro-actively taking notes with his thin red Lenovo notebook while others were armed with papers and pens. Coffee was served with popiah, curry puff and a kueh.
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KERETA PROTON TETAP MENDAPAT SAMBUTAN

 Utusan Malaysia 12/04/2016

KUALA LUMPUR 11 April - Persatuan Pengedar Proton Edar (PEDA) berkata, sambutan orang ramai terhadap kereta-kereta Proton adalah masih tinggi, dengan setiap pengedar mempunyai sekurang-kurangnya 50 Surat Akujanji (LOU) daripada bank-bank untuk pembeli kereta.

“Jualan kereta Proton sebenar­nya masih laris. Model Iriz, Preve, Exora dan Persona terutamanya, masih menjadi pilihan ramai walaupun Proton diselubungi isu negatif pada masa ini,’’ kata Presidennya, Armin Barniaz Pahamin kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Malah kata beliau, jualan dijangka rancak dengan pelancaran tiga lagi model baharu Proton termasuk Proton Perdana yang gambarnya sudah tersebar meluas di dalam Internet.

Bagaimanapun ujar beliau, pihaknya berdepan masalah iaitu bekalan kereta yang rendah dan polisi dalaman yang pelbagai sehingga mengakibatkan jualan kereta terbantut.

“Jualan kereta semakin teruk disebabkan oleh tiga perkara iaitu da­sar-dasar Proton Edar yang lebih ketat telah membantutkan usaha pe­ngedar untuk menjual kereta; bekalan ke­reta yang per­lahan dan tidak ada bekal­an tepat iaitu model atau warna yang dipilih pembeli,’’ ujarnya.

Semasa zaman kegemilangan Proton katanya, pengurus dan pengurus besar boleh membuat keputusan yang membabitkan jualan kereta asalkan jualan laris.

“Keputusan boleh dibuat semasa mesyuarat PEDA dengan pengurusan tengah. Sekarang GM dan CEO pun tidak ada kuasa. Kena jawatankuasa yang bersidang mungkin sekali sebulan yang putuskan. Apabila jawatankuasa bersidang, dan telah mendapat kelulusan, pasaran telah pun dah berubah,’’ katanya.

KHAZANAH NASIONAL TO BE BLAMED FOR PROTON'S DOWNFALL

Dato' Abdul Rahman Dahlan said in an article posted by the Star, (an extract of which, was posted at the bottom), that Dr M must answer for Proton's colossal failure; I feel the need to clarify.

1. Proton was the no 1 car maker when Tun Mahathir was the Prime Minister. 

2. Proton went downhill under Tun Abdullah Badawi premiership whom was also the Minister of Finance, the holding company of Khazanah Nasional whom was at that time, the biggest shareholder of Proton Holdings Berhad. Dato Mohammed Azlan Hashim was appointed by Khazanah Nasional as Proton Chairman and was tasked to remove Tengku Mahaleel as Proton Managing Director.
3. Dato Mohammed Azlan Hashim succeeded in removing Tengku Mahaleel when his predecessor, also a Khazanah Nasional appointee Dato Abu Hasan Kendut had failed. When Tengku Mahaleel was removed, he left Proton with RM4b in cash reserves.

4. Proton lost to Perodua as the number 1 car maker under Dato Mohammed Azlan Hashim when Khazanah Nasional was the biggest shareholder and in control of Proton.

5. Khazanah Nasional, via Dato Mohammed Azlan Hashim had reversed Tengku Mahaleel's decision to terminate EON as Proton distributor when EON refused to contribute to the R&D funds requested by Proton after the government stopped giving R&D grants for proton development. 

6. This resulted in a sales network with more than 400 dealers representation in Malaysia. This was the most destructive decision that weakens the once a strong dealership network and the start of a series of catastrophe.

SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT BAIL OUT PROTON?

Proton Edar Sdn Bhd (PESB) has appointed 52 years old Rohimee Shafie as its 11th Chief Executive Officer. Most of Proton Edar Dealers Association Malaysia (PEDA) committee members have been around since the first Proton Edar Sdn Bhd (formerly known as USPD) Chief Executive Officer, Dato Rashid Rahim. As PEDA President, I have served under 6 of the former 10 CEOs and have served all 10 CEOs as PEDA committee member, Vice-President and Deputy President. We have also been under former Proton Holdings Berhad (Proton) Managing Director Tengku Tan Sri Mahaleel, Proton Joint COO Dato Kisai Rahmat & Dato Kamarulzaman Darus, Proton MD Dato Sri Syed Zainal Abidin, Proton CEO Datuk Lukman Ibrahim and Dato Harith Abdullah. PEDA welcomes and look forward to work closely with Dato Ahmad Fuaad as the new Proton CEO.

We have seen various policies that destroys the dealers network and policies that really improved our total sales. Unfortunately, everytime a new CEO was appointed, we have to start the same bad and the good policies all over again. Ironically, arrogance and ego took the best of any newly appointed. Despite the promises made by Tan Sri Khamil Jamil when DRB-Hicom first bought over Proton, to be dealercentric, in reality Proton & PESB Management took the dealers network (except for a few favorite dealers with special treatment), akin of a thorn in a bed of roses. With plummeting sales (up to the point where dealers can hardly break even), stricter parameters were introduced restricting further dealers whom are hungry for business, to do sales.

Since DRB-Hicom took over Proton in 2012, Proton car sales has been downhill from a total sales of 141,120 in 2012, 138,753 in 2013, 115,782 in 2014 and last year 2015, Proton hit its lowest sales record of only 102,175.

Personally, I don't think DRB-Hicom management style works at Proton. There is no empowerment and decisions took longer than in the past. Reaction and responses to market sentiment is poor and do not get me started on the production deliverables of cars to be delivered to Proton car buyer. The mismatching of customers order to manufacturing production worsens on the backdrop of non-availability of cars for the dealers to sell. The communication channel from top management to the middle management and to the dealers were distorted. Whatever that was resolved and discussed between PEDA and top management was not properly minuted and communicated to middle management as well as the dealers network. With an already over congested dealers network, the addition of 29 Suzuki dealers adds on alot more burden.

NORZAHID MOHD ZAHUDI - PROTON EDAR NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PROTON EDAR Sdn Bhd has appointed Norzahid Mohd Zahudi as its 10th Chief Executive Officer on 1 October 2014 since its inception in 1995; when Proton Edar was known as USPD (Usaha Sama Proton DRB-HICOM) (11th CEO if we counted Stanley Tan who was the acting CEO after Abbas Mehad). Norzahid is also the fourth Proton Edar Chief Executive Officer since DRB-Hicom took over. Past Proton Edar Chief Executive Officers are as follows:

1. Dato Rashid Rahim

2. Abbas Mehad

3. Stanley Tan (Acting CEO)

4. Datuk Maruan Said

5. Ahmad Tifli Talha

6. Datuk Maruan Said

7. Mohamad Shukor Ibrahim

8. Ahmad Suhaimi

9. Dato Hisham Othman

10. Azmi Idris

The majority of Proton Edar Dealers Association Malaysia (PEDA) committee members had served under all the Chief Executive Officers and have gone through two recessions (former EON dealers went through 3 recessions) and various ups and down in PROTON life cycles. Norzahid, 56 years old is not a stranger to the automotive industry nor is he to PROTON EDAR.

LAUNCHING OF PROTON IRIZ

After a good gotong-royong at Proton Edar Putrajaya, the showroom was ready to received the new Proton Iriz. The Iriz was delivered late on the eve of the launching. We received 4 units of vehicles; two units for showroom display and another 2 for test drive. The car that was equipped with Proton latest engine, the VVT must be test driven to experience the smooth ride and handling in a luxurious interior. All the latest gadget and technology was installed in the compact car as a standard features which give the buyer the best value for money in all aspect as compared to those in the similar segment such as Perodua Myvi, Honda Jazz, Kia Rio, Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo, Mitsubishi Mirage, Suzuki Swift and Peugeot 208. For more information, read Paul Tan's detail write up at HERE.

The Iriz that came in 7 colors was also awarded with a 5 star NCAP crash test rating which make it the safest car compare to all other models in the same category. The Myvi was only awarded with a 3 star. For a more detail comparison to the Myvi, read Carlist review at HERE. 

I attended the Iriz grand launching at PROTON TANJUNG MALIM. The Iriz was also launched at all Proton Edar Showroom nationwide simultaneously. The Iriz launching and the unveiling was impressive but what was even more heartfelt was the opening speech by YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, our former Prime Minister and currently the Chairman of PROTON. Speaking without any text, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad touches if not hypnotized the audience with his every words. It shows how pro-active he is with whatever he does. I am always inspired whenever I hear his speech. Malaysia has come a long way from only importing cars, to assembly and localization and now, being able to produce from drawing board to manufacturing the entire car in Malaysia, by Malaysians, for Malaysians with a global quality and safety standard. I am proud to be part of Proton eco system.

GOTONG ROYONG AT PROTON EDAR PUTRAJAYA IN PREPARATION FOR THE IRIZ

With all the excitement of today's launching of PROTON's latest addition, the PROTON IRIZ, I have to acknowledge my team at PROTON EDAR Putrajaya. Rarely do I get to witness such an inspired, motivated and cheerful spirit from all 'warga ABP'. A few days ago,  everyone namely Noor Azzam, Fazli, Zaki Fizan, Hairi, Said, Yusoff, Azzubir, Zul and Syed stayed back to re-paint, re-do, clean and decorate the showroom; impatiently awaiting the launching date.

This is an exemplary example of the spirit not just at my dealership in Putrajaya but across the whole PROTON eco-system from the plant, the vendors and the dealers network. PROTON has been down abit too long and the launching of the Iriz, is an injection of new spirit into the network.

When anyone asked me how the Iriz is doing? I will tell them to take a look at the highly spirited people at PROTON. Their spirit speaks of the product. PROTON Iriz is the best product PROTON has ever built. Stay Tuned for more...

In the mean time, witness yourself the spirit at Proton Edar Putrajaya... do take note and be reminded that some pictures are rated 15sx. Some pictures may be too obscene for adult. They have not gone through the bootcamp training and are more afraid of losing their fat than to be slim.

OFFICIAL LAUNCHING OF POS LAJU AUTHORISED MASTER AGENT

Left: Siaw Siew Bee, Dato Carol Chan Choy Lin, Dato Lukman Ibrahim, Armin Baniaz Pahamin, Lee Lick Sai

Beside the new Proton Saga SV, there is now another reason to visit Proton Edar showroom.. Proton Edar is now the authorised Master Agent for Pos Laju. The idea for this synergistic venture was mooted, realized and launched by Tan Sri Mohd Khamil bin Jamil, DRB-HICOM Group Managing Director and also Proton Holdings Berhad Executive Chairman. He was accompanied by DRB-Hicom senior management namely Dato Abdul Harith Abdullah, Dato' Chan Choy Lin and Dato Mohamed Hazlan Mohamed Hussein. Also present at the event were Datuk Lukman Ibrahim, Proton Holding Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Hisham Othman, Taha Bujang, Salawati, Badrul , Francis and a batallion full of Pos Laju senior management team.

This collaboration will provide better convenience and accessibility for customers to send their courier items through Pos Laju while increasing the traffic flow to the showrooms. The increase traffic to the showrooms will provide a better opportunity for the Sales Advisors to market Proton cars and make known of our latest offer.

The event began with a recital of doa selamat and an opening speech by Hisham Othman, Proton Edar Chief Executive Officer.

A representative from Pos Laju read on behalf of Pos Laju's Group Chief Executive Officer, his speech and followed by the launching and signing of plaque by Tan Sri Mohd Khamil Jamil.

We are pleased and is happy to learn that 51 dealers from Proton Edar dealers network were selected to be the authorised centre for Pos Laju as a second phase of the collaboration plan.

During this challenging moment facing the automotive industry, Proton dealer's network stand united with Proton and DRB-Hicom to ensure the national car project is not only successful but became the pride of all Malaysian.

Snapshots at the event (Click on picture to enlarge).

THE LAUNCHING OF THE FIRST ASEAN NCAP PASSED AND APPROVED PROTON VARIANT

The much awaited Proton's latest variance will be launched this morning!! What is new with the new variant?

Yes!! Safety feature!!! Twin airbags!! and a 3 Star ASEAN New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash test passed and approved!! The new variance, packed with the best of safety features in its class is expected to be priced lower as a result of detailed value analysis and engineering.

To view the model, visit us at No. 1, Jalan Diplomatik 2/2, Precint 15, 62050 Putrajaya. Telephone: 03-8811013. For direction, see map below:


View Larger Map

MALAYSIA MINISTRY OF AUTOMOTIVE?

Back in 2009 and on various other platform, as the President for the Proton Edar Dealers Association Malaysia, I issued statements and called for the government to established a custodian to the automotive industry (See the copy of Bernama at HERE and media picture at HERE). Automotive sales have been affected by various statutory policies that had hampered and hindered the growth of the sector but automotive industry is a Key Driver that can help Malaysia to meet its vision to be a develop nation. It is common for a Ministry to be set up to promote the growth of an important sector in Malaysia, for example Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Agriculture etc. Why not a Ministry of Automotive?

Naturally, we support Datuk Syed Mohamad Syed Murtaza, DRB-HICOM Berhad Chairman proposal for the government to establish a new Ministry for the Automotive Sector. See below, extract from Business Times dated 31 May 2013. The actual article is available at HERE. 

Call for automotive sector ministry

MALAYSIA should consider establishing a new ministry for the automotive sector, DRB-HICOM Bhd chairman Datuk Syed Mohamad Syed Murtaza said.

Syed Mohamad said automotive is one of the few industries that can help Malaysia meet its vision to be a developed nation by 2020.

"We have a ministry to take charge of tourism. There is one for education and health," Syed Mohamad, who was former managing director of Armstrong Auto Parts Sdn Bhd and Armstrong Cycle Parts Sdn Bhd said.

"Should we not seriously consider having a ministry of automotive industry?" he asked.

Syed Mohamad was speaking at the Business Times Insight forum on how the National Automotive Policy (NAP) will reshape the industry, here on Wednesday.

TRIBUTE TO A LOYAL, TRUSTED FRIEND & COLLEAGUE: P. SARASWATHY

I am truly out of words. I starred blank at the computer screen and could not comprehend or digest the news that I had just received from Chitra Muniandy. Sara is gone.... My heart sank. My whole body shivers and shaken. I felt so weak. Sara has work faithfully with me for more than 13 years and had never taken a single Medical Leaves. She took care of me and my office akin of a mother to a child though she was only 50 years old.

Losing Sara to an unknown sickness was as painful as losing a relative to a cancer. Half of my life was spend battling cancer and that is one battle that I am very familiar with but to lose a friend battling sickness was beyond comprehension.

It was only a few weeks ago that Sara confided in me of her unbeknown sickness. She felt weak and could not even climb the stairs up to our office. Her ankle and various body parts were swollen and she could not breath. I told her to go home and rest. Focus in getting better and do not worry about the office but Sara is a workoholic. At home, she continued to manage the office ensuring all work was well coodinated and done.

She was later admitted at the Assunta Hospital where the Specialist insisted for her to remove both her womb and ovaries but luckily she obtained a second opinion from University Hospital whom adviced her against Assunta Hospital's advice. She was discharged from the University Hospital on thursday last week to spend the public holiday at home before undergoing MRI and other checks for diagnosis.

Over the weekend she was admitted at the Columbia Hospital again for some complication and passed away shortwhile ago.

STRIP EXEMPTIONS GIVEN TO 70 CAR MODELS, VARIANTS

A GROUP of influential car dealers has recommended stripping exemptions given to vehicles if they do not meet the new safety standards.

Proton Edar Dealers Association (Peda) urged the Transport Ministry to revoke all exemptions given to 10 car models with more than 70 variants that do not meet the New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) safety requirements.

The call follows efforts by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), an agency under the ministry, to lift motor vehicle safety standards and encourage a market for safer vehicles under NCAP.

NCAP is a collaboration signed between Miros and the Global New Car Assessment Programne on December 7 2011.

In 2011, the ministry issued a list of United Nation Economic Council for Europe (Unece) regulations for automotive assemblers and manufacturers in Malaysia to implement by January 2012.

The deadline was first extended to June last year.

Peda president, Armin Baniaz Pahamin, said to date, 70 car models and variants are still given exemption despite not complying with two items on the Unece list, namely UN ECE R94 (frontal collision system) and UN ECE R95.

AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURER "GULUNG TIKAR"

FACTS: Although PROTON is now under private entity but it is still a national car and is still driven as a national project and is a major source of income to our Country. With the opposition and the public pressing against national cars and crying for the liberalization in car pricing PROTON may follow Ford's footstep soon and leave thousands unemployed.

Read more at HERE or read locally at the Star Online News at HERE.

With direct employment and its dependents of more than 100,000 people, there is no other way but for our National Cars to be on an upswing. If we do not support our national car, nobody will!!

PROTON EDAR NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER HISHAM OTHMAN MEETS THE DEALERS

There were three prominent key factors conveyed by Hisham Othman, 3 weeks after his appointment as Proton Edar's Chief Executive Officer at the first engagement chaired by the new management since DRB-Hicom took over.

First being Integrity. Quoted PESB Chief Executive Officer Hisham Othman, "I am a paid employee and will never take any extra sen other than my paid salary!!". If anyone has any information on any unethical behaviour pertaining to Proton Edar Sdn Bhd, call me!! said Hisham Othman whom then gave out his personal handphone number and email address to all the dealers. This was the second time he repeated this statement. Once, was during PEDA unofficial engagement with Hisham when he adamantly stated that he just cannot comprehend anyone or any employee that tried to make any extra money from the company that feeds them.

Secondly, the dealers should and must always be treated as the Customer! "The dealers are the customer to Proton Edar. PROTON buyer are the dealer's and the end-customer but PESB's immediate customer are the dealers. Dealers will be treated as a customer. Gone were the days when Proton dealer's were being discriminated, managed through threats and forced-allocation (of cars irrespective of bookings and demand). 

10 DAYS COUNTING DOWN PROTON JUNE SALES CAMPAIGN TO END!! BUY PROTON NOW AND GET RM3,000 REBATE

What ???

Yes.. Up to RM3,000 overtrade!!! When you buy a Proton car in June!!

Where ???

Of course my Showroom at  HERE!!
Call: 03-88810113 or 03-88902013

When ???

Now to end of June!!!

FINAL WORDS OF WISDOM FROM DATO SRI SYED ZAINAL ABIDIN TO ALL CITIZENS OF PROTON

Well what can I say? The time has come to be separated from Dato Sri Syed Zainal. The following final words from him was translated from "Pesanan & Amanat Terakhir Dato Seri Syed Zainal", a humble man with a strong passion. During his tenure, Dato Sri whom always referred me as bro and preferred me to refer him also as Bro too never failed to aspire every individuals whenever he speak! He would hypnotized every members of the audience with his passion. His farewell speech was in Malay and I could not help but to translate it to English (dont laugh) to share his final words of wisdom with my readers. Of course, the translation would have been far better if Dato Sri were to translate it himself but nonetheless.....

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Good day, Salam 1 Malaysia and Peace be upon all citizens of Proton that I cherished. I hope this writing meets all of you in good health, joy and aspiration in carrying out our daily tasks. As all have known, I have given up my position as the Group Managing Director of PROTON effective on the 4th July, 2012. Taking into account the balance of my leave that I need to utilize, today which is Thursday 31 May 2012 will be my last day with PROTON. 

My dear brothers and sisters, 

It was very heavy for me to write this letter as a closure to more than six (6) years of my service in PROTON. I spent days staring at a blank computer screen as it appear, there are no words that can translate what I am truely deeply feeling in my heart. How could I leave something that has such a deep and meaningful impact in my life? How may I shake the hands and say goodbye to people whom I have regarded to be a member of my own family? There is no vocabulary that can express and extend my gratitude to everyone that has worked so hard in helping me performing my duty for so long. I have nothing to offer and I cannot afford to repay all the sacrifices, hard work and time that was devoted by all parties in your effort to realize the dream of PROTON without any remorse.