“I seldom support the prime minister, but on this I support the prime minister as there is potential in the project,” Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) told the Dewan Rakyat today, adding that he hoped Anwar would continue the project.

He had earlier asked about the cost of the project as well as the role of the government and private sector.

Tajuddin said he was confident the new national car project would be successful as long as it was placed under “capable hands”.

Many have criticised the idea for a third national car, mooted by Mahathir after taking over power in the May 9 polls, saying it was doomed to fail due to the dominance of the Chinese automotive industry.

Mahathir has however said the project will focus on the electric car, and has discussed the idea with regional as well as Japanese players.

Tajuddin said the third national car would be able to penetrate bigger markets such as the US, Britain and Japan, adding that Malaysia should move away from commodities to “manufacturing goods”.

“Today, what is our wealth other than palm oil and rubber?” he asked.

Earlier, Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Ong Kian Ming (PH-Bangi) said the third national car would boost Malaysia’s engineering skills through the use of new technology including artificial intelligence.

He said the project would be undertaken by the private sector.