The report says, roughly, "the National Automotive Policy has been created by the government following the problems in the automotve sector connected with imports of foreign cars through excessive Approved Permits; unfair competition to Proton..."

Meanwhile, some sectors of the public have been crying for Proton to be shut down.

Notwithstanding that Proton creates 300,000 jobs and contributes a sizeable chunk to the total Malaysian economy (let me see if I can find out just how much)-- the government can't just shut it down but the problem is one of perception.

The loudest public opinion out there seems to be the from the people who are bitter that they have to settle for a "second best" option. They seem to believe they are entitled to have more prestiege and luxury in the car they drive or want to own and feel Proton cars are being forced on them.

Interestingly, Perodua has less of this problem in spite of being a cheaper vehicle- perhaps partly because they have the advantage of coming out after Proton and are seen as an "alternative" and as providing a "choice"... BUT also largely because Perodua is really much better at handling its publicity / advertising / customers.

I think there is a silent group that supports Proton for its good points; but it's the outspoken lot that damns it for its bad points more than it deserves. And that sets the tone of public opinion.

Some shortsighted people say, "If Proton wasn't around I'd just be working in some other job instead."

Unless you're in a job directly connected to automotive supplies and engineering, that's possible. But you might be earning less.

Think about it.

The country would be bleeding billions in national wealth each year to buy cars from other countries. Personal transportation is a dire necessity and we'd have no choice but to continue enriching the coffers of 1st world nations and draining away our resources...

And in the long run- the economy would be so much weaker. More vulnerable. That is just as precarious a situation for the man-i-the-street as it is for the government.

At least with a locally built car we get to keep some of the wealth circulating within our own country.

NOW a couple of things about the Korean cars becoming more expensive becase of the PGE tax...

1) Short-sighted, self-gratifying people complain loudly about Malaysian policy making imported cars more expensive.

Are they aware that other countries have high barriers to the entry of Proton cars into their markets? That the Japanese and Koreans had high barriers and protected their own industries too? That China is obstinately NOT allowing Proton into their country's markets- yet conversely is already making inroads into exporting Chinese vehicles into Malaysia?

2) Knowing Malaysians, this more expensiveness will simply be seen as a badge of exclusivity and make them all the more desirable. Plus the 2nd hand resale value of the Korean badges may rise. Oh dear.

I hope they consider the impacts properly.