Saying the prime minister’s plan was “indefensible”, Amanah Youth member Nik Abdul Razak Nik Md Ridzuan said the public had been against the idea when it was first mooted.

He said among Pakatan Harapan politicians, only those without government positions have criticised the plan.

“There is not one among our leaders who have spoken up, opposed or given a rebuttal to the prime minister,” he said.

Mahathir has argued several times for a third national car after Proton and Perodua.

Putrajaya has yet to make any decision to invest in a national car, saying the project would be powered by the private sector.

Nik Razak urged ministers from Amanah to challenge the idea, saying they should not be afraid of losing their positions.

“Let us not play safe in order to avoid losing ministerial positions although we know that the idea is indefensible. Please,” he said.

“This is Mahathir’s obsession but we are silent because we want to keep our posts,” he said.