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We call on the Government to announce its policy on Proton and foreign shareholders   Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw (Kuala Lumpur, Wednesday): Today, the media report the minister’s view that despite interest from international carmakers, the Government would not force Proton to accept foreign shareholders. Recently, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi comments on the possibility of selling a majority stake in Proton to other multinational companies. This attracts attention.  Malaysia has over 20 million people, not 100 million. Now, every two persons own a car. This is scarcely enough to sustain the national car company. Whatever happens to it will affect hundreds of thousands of people.   The world carmakers are merging such as Daimler in Germany merging with Chrysler in the United States of America (USA) and Ford buying over Volvo in Sweden. General Motors has spread its wing all over including Thailand. In future, there may only be huge transnational car manufacturers.   Proton is relatively small. Its new factory in Tanjung Malim is modern. It is having joint ventures with factories in China, Indonesia, Iran and Vietnam. We hope it will expand its market rapidly. But, owing to various factors, Proton has not entered Japan and USA; the former having very strict conditions and the latter being the biggest car market in the world.   Meanwhile, Proton is not looking for strategic partners, but is concentrating on joint ventures. However, the Government must be accountable with a workable policy on Proton, foreign shareholders and international market.   (4/8/2004) * Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong