“We do not see a big problem with that,” he told reporters after launching the Weststar Group’s completely knocked down (CKD) G10 MPV model here today.

Mustapa said, currently, the national car manufacturer was in discussion with the Finance Ministry on the matter.

Last Friday, the government announced it had granted Proton’s application for a soft loan with several conditions attached to ensure the national carmaker was competitive.

Among others, Proton must come out with a turnaround plan to restructure the company and provide a strategic plan to expand its local and international markets.

Elaborating further, Mustapa said the government would set a timeline for Proton to implement its rationalisation plan.

“The government will not interfere in the company’s operations, but we will monitor it based on the conditions set by the Finance Ministry,” he said.

Asked if the government was bailing out Proton, the same way it did Malaysia Airlines System Bhd (MAS), Mustapa said: “Proton’s (case) is not like (that of) MAS. It’s a private company but it produces our national car.

“We are also taking into consideration the interests of its 60,000 workers and vendors.

“This is why we’ve decided to grant them the soft loan… We hope Proton will do better as it is important for the 60,000 people working under the company,” Mustapa added.

– BERNAMA