Proton is one of the examples of the doggedness of former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. I remember when it was first mooted, he was advised by some experts that the project would not work. He would not listen.

Now, years since the company's formation in 1983, we can see who is right and who is wrong. If it is true that Proton has applied for an additional 20 years of tariff protection, that application would be the clearest proof that the former PM was clearly wrong.

How can a company, after 20 years of protection at the expense of the people, still be uncompetitive?

It just goes to show how mistaken we were to have embarked in the industry. This is exactly the same with Perwaja.

The blame must fall fairly and squarely on the former PM and his inner advisers. How long must Malaysians continue to suffer because of their folly? If an idea is wrong, it must be treated like a cancer and be lobbed off before it does more damage.

If necessary, close down Proton and deploy its workers to the construction and plantation industries so that we do not need to be swamped by so many foreign workers.