politics
Ex-Proton CEO Says Malays Should End Reliance on Aid, Faces Online Criticism Over Company’s State Support
Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Tahir told the inaugural Musyawarah Nasional dialogue on Sunday that Malays must replace a “mentality of waiting for aid” with personal initiative. The former Proton chief, now non-executive chairman of Dagang NeXchange, said the community should stop blaming external systems for its economic struggles.
May 11, 4:25 AM·1m read1 source
South China Morning PostAudio version
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Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Tahir, the former CEO of Proton, called on Malays to abandon a “mentality of waiting for aid” and replace reliance on handouts with initiative. He delivered the remarks on Sunday at the inaugural Musyawarah Nasional (National Discourse) dialogue platform founded by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. “Go for whatever you want.
Don’t wait, my father taught me this,” Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Tahir said. South China Morning Post reported that he believed Malays were no longer seeking “freebies” but fair opportunities. The former Proton chief added that Malays should stop blaming external systems for economic struggles without confronting the community’s own shortcomings.
He now serves as non-executive chairman of investment holding company and technology provider Dagang NeXchange. Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Tahir addressed a press conference in 2007 while he was managing director of Proton. The remarks landed with a thud online, where commentators pointed out that Proton itself had spent decades insulated by state backing, protectionist policies and financial assistance.
Social media users met the call with ridicule, with many highlighting the national carmaker’s long history of government support.
