theSun | THURSDAY APRIL 16 2009
news without borders
PM to Proton: Be creative
by Tim Leonard
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak launched
Malaysia’s first locally-manufactured
multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) – the Proton
Exora – last night with a call to Proton to
be more creative and innovative to stay
competitive.
Describing the launch as a significant
milestone in Proton’s history, Najib said
he hoped the new MPV will propel the
national car maker to greater heights.
“I am proud of Proton’s achievement in
launching the Exora after working hard
to develop it for 18 months,” he said at
the launch at Kuala Lumpur Convention
Centre.
“This proves that Proton is willing to
Thailand revokes Thaksin’s passport
BANGKOK: Thailand has revoked the
passport of fugitive former premier Thaksin
Shinawatra for allegedly inciting protests
that disrupted a major Asian summit, a
government spokesman said yesterday.
Asian leaders were forced to flee the
summit in the coastal resort of Pattaya by
helicopter on Saturday after pro-Thaksin
demonstrators stormed the venue in an
international embarrassment for the govern-
ment.
“The foreign ministry has cancelled his
passport,” said government spokesman
Panitan Wattanayagorn.
“The incident on the 11th is the reason.”
“The decision to cancel his passport was
take risks to change.
“Proton must face the challenges in
today’s automotive world, especially in
view of the current economic climate.”
Najib said Proton cannot afford to be in
a comfort zone.
“There’s no concept of free lunch or
free ride in the world today,” he said. “In
this era of globalisation, we have to be
more creative and innovative.”
Najib said Proton must look at strategic
tie-ups to come up with “fuel efficient”
products and also enhance the green and
environment-friendly technology.
“I am pleased that since the Exora was
opened for booking on Feb 21, there have
been more than 2,000 bookings,” he said.
“The price is very competitive and I
hope it (the Exora) will make its buyers
happy.”
based on passport issuing regulations, which
state that the ministry can cancel or recall
a passport if it can prove that a person has
caused damage to the country,” he said
Meanwhile, the government geared for
steps to shore up the economy yesterday, a
day after it brought a halt to violent protests
that have further dented confidence in a
country already on the brink of recession.
The streets of Bangkok were calm, with
troop presence much reduced after die-hard
demonstrators were dispersed overnight.
The Financial Times quoted Finance
Minister Korn Chatikavanij as saying that
Thailand may expand its stimulus package
and increase borrowing to boost confidence
The Exora Hi-Line 1.6 automatic is
priced at RM75,998 and the Exora M-Line
1.6 automatic costs RM69,998.
As with the Waja, Gen 2 and Satria Neo,
the Exora shares the tried and tested 1.6
litre CamPro CPS engine.
The Exora is designed to make long
balik kampung trips a breeze with its am-
ple space that could easily accommodate
seven passengers.
Buyers can choose from six colours and
the models can be viewed at the nearest
Proton showrooms.
Present at the launch were Deputy
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin,
International Trade and Industry Minister
Datuk Mustapa Mohamed and his deputy,
Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, and Proton
Holdings Bhd adviser Tun Dr Mahathir
Mohamad.
and deal with the economic costs of political
turmoil.
“We were already anticipating revenue
shortfalls in the current fiscal year and that
shortfall is almost certainly going to be larger
now as a result of what happened over the
last 72 hours and so we are going to have to
make sure we have sufficient fiscal space,”
he said in an interview.
Financial markets were closed for the
final day of the three-day Thai new year
holiday but will reopen tomorrow. Shares
and the baht were expected to come under
selling pressure. – Reuters
» See also Page 14
 11
‘Cabinet must be
people-oriented’
» From Front Page
explained the 1Malaysia concept to members of
the new cabinet at its first meeting in Putrajaya
yesterday morning and reminded them “don’t
be just concerned about your own community”
Proton’s but strive to fulfil the high expectations of all
Malaysians.
big
“I stressed four things, namely integrity, abil-
mama ity, loyalty and commitment. The cabinet must
pg 22 also be people-oriented to gain the trust of the
people,” he said.
Besides this, the ministers should be agents
of change and bring about reforms towards
meeting the needs of the entire spectrum of
society.
“We cannot be thinking the government
knows everything. The doors to dialogue must
be open to all so that decisions made by the
government truly reflect the wishes of the
people,” Najib said.
The bottom line is that any decision taken
must be based on the overall interests of the
people, he said. – Bernama
A “tuk-tuk” passes as soldiers
REUTERSPIX
keep guard at a road leading to
Government House in Bangkok
yesterday.