PROTON Holdings Berhad (PROTON) today, announced that Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad has agreed to become its Chairman effective 16 May 2014. Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Mahathir will also be taking the role as the Chairman of Group Lotus plc (Lotus).
Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Mahathir has been the Advisor of PROTON Group since late 2003 after stepping down as the 4th Prime Minister of Malaysia. Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Mahathir’s vision was not just to see the dream of a national car materialise but to also broaden the economic capacity of the country, in particular, on aspects such as acquiring automotive engineering knowledge and modern manufacturing methods – above all, making car ownership affordable to all Malaysians.
As the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Mahathir has been truly instrumental in the conception and progress of Malaysia’s automotive industry. It was his vision, ideas and leadership that has guided PROTON since its inception in 1983, and since then PROTON has spurred the local automotive manufacturing eco-system, with PROTON engineers now equipped with high levels of engineering skills to the extent that PROTON is able to design, build and manufacture cars from the ground up. Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Mahathir is determined to see PROTON succeed and therefore it is most apropos and natural for Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Mahathir to step in as PROTON’s Chairman to lead PROTON’s journey in its new chapter.
“We at DRB-HICOM are extremely humbled and honoured by the acceptance of Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Mahathir, a man with profound experience and knowledge of the industry. He has accepted the position; willing to spend time and effort to take on the challenges and arduous tasks that PROTON faces,” said Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd Khamil Jamil, Group Managing Director of DRB-HICOM.
“Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Mahathir will now be able to dedicate more of his time at PROTON as Chairman, which will certainly continue to strengthen PROTON in its mission to become a globally recognised automotive player. We look forward to the invaluable leadership and guidance from Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Mahathir,” added Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Abdul Harith Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of PROTON.
Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Mahathir’s appointment will see PROTON’s current Executive Chairman, YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Mohd Khamil Jamil step down as the Executive Chairman of PROTON and remain as a member of the Board of Directors of PROTON Holdings Berhad.
