Rahman Dahlan: Dr M must answer for Proton's 'colossal failure'

DRB-Hicom Bhd, which owns Proton, said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia that the latest proposed redeemable convertible cumulative preference shares (RCCPS) to be subscribed by Minister of Finance Inc

PETALING JAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad must answer for Proton's "colossal failure," says Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

Rahman said the former prime minister must answer why Proton "is in serious trouble and in need of billions."

"Tun must come forward and answer why Proton is in serious financial trouble despite billions of rakyat's money poured into Proton," tweeted Rahman, an Umno supreme council member, on Saturday.

"Recently billions pumped into MAS. Now Proton. Interestingly, they have one glaring denominator. What or who? Your guess is as good as mine," Rahman said.

Last week, Dr Mahathir resigned as chairman of Proton, the government linked company he created while he was prime minister in the 1980s.

He also relinquished his post as the chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Petronas, as well as advisor to Langkawi Development Authority and the Tioman Island Development Authority.

Rahman said that RM13.9bil has been pumped into Proton since 1983 and now "horror stories" of Dr Mahathir's direct interference and "dictatorial leadership style" in Proton are slowly emerging.

"It's sad to see some get all riled up when relevant questions posed at Tun," he said.

"Proton's shareholders and BOD (board of directors) must be brave to tackle any legacy problems left by the ex-chairman.

"Proton must be serious and not be afraid to unshackle the culture of "deaf, dumb and blind" in Proton," he said, chiding Dr Mahathir who said in his Chedet blog called Umno leaders and members "deaf, dumb and blind" in their support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Dr Mahathir was sacked as Petronas adviser in March following a unanimous decision by Cabinet to terminate his appointment.