The Malaysian government will be closely monitoring Proton stakeholder Geely in order to ensure that Malaysians will continue to be prioritised in the company’s workforce, said human resources minister M. Kula Segaran in a New Straits Times report.
“With regards to Proton, we will carry out comprehensive investigations if they do not abide by the law,” said the minister, adding that foreign companies are bound by Malaysian laws on the matter of employing foreign workers. Employers are barred from firing local workers in order to hire foreigners, in line with Section 60M of the Employment Act 1955, Kula Segaran said.
This was in response to a question by Kapar member of Parliament Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid, who asked what measures would be taken if foreign management of local companies refuse to hire Malaysians. The minister admitted that there is a shortage of labour inspectors for checking on businesses, and the ministry has applied to the Ministry of Finance to increase the number of its inspectors, he said.
DRB-Hicom and Geely signed a partnership in July 2017 for the latter to acquire a 49.9% equity stake in Proton, which included the agreement for Proton to be the manufacturing hub for Geely’s right-hand-drive (RHD) models. The first product from Proton to come of this partnership is the forthcoming Proton SUV, which is slated for launch this October. The 2018 Geely Boyue forms the basis for this model.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments highlight concerns over Proton's workforce quality, with some criticizing lazy, unprofessional, or disengaged employees affecting product quality and productivity, while others defend Malaysian workers' dedication. There is strong support for restructuring, including cutting or firing underperforming staff to improve efficiency. Several comments warn against government interference, advocating for Geely's autonomy in hiring and management decisions, including employing foreigners if necessary for competitiveness. Discussions also touch on Proton's profitability struggles, reliance on soft loans, and the need for global standard quality. Some suggest that Proton’s issues stem from internal mismanagement and overstaffing, emphasizing that improved productivity and discipline are essential for Proton’s future success within the competitive automotive industry.