Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad today aired his grouses on being kept in the dark by Proton Holdings Bhd regarding its business ventures.

Mahathir, who is Proton's adviser, launched a verbal salvo when quizzed on the talks between the national carmaker and Mitsubishi Motors Corp about a possible alliance.

"I am not aware of anything. I mean they (Proton) do things without my knowledge. So I cannot be aware of what they are doing," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Elaborating, he said Proton does write to him to inform him of things that they have done but sometimes he learned about its activities in the press.

However, he said, he would remain as Proton adviser "so long as I am not sacked".

Recent reports in Japanese press said Proton and Mitsubishi were in talks to form an alliance, with activities such as jointly developing models and procuring parts.

Both carmakers had forged an alliance before but it ended in 2004.

No transparency

Asked further about his relationship with Proton, Mahathir said as an adviser, he would still give advice to Proton.

"But I am not asked to advise, so I don't advise," he added.

He also pointed out that he had asked questions about the sale of Proton's interests in Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta.

However, Proton's board of directors decided not to provide any answer, he said.

"I thought that this is supposed to be a very transparent world where everything is done in full view of everybody else. Yet when I asked questions, the board decides that there is no need to answer the question.

"As an adviser of the company, I have a right to know why they did these things (sale of stake in MV Agusta)," he said.

"You buy something for 70 million euros and you sell for one euro, but they said by doing so they don't lose any money. Now I just cannot figure if I buy something for RM100 and sell for one sen (how) I don't lose anything.

"I still want to know. I am curious," he added.

However, Mahathir said he has no means of forcing Proton to answer if its directors do not want to give an answer.