An opposition leader today questioned why Proton was still posting losses despite changes to its top-level management.

"My question is why with a new CEO and new management board, Proton still registers losses?" asked Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) in the Dewan Rakyat.

Earlier, she also asked Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin (BN-Bachok) if those who resigned were offered Voluntary Separation Schemes (VSS) as an incentive.

Responding to her questions, Awang said the management did not plan to offer VSS nor did it currently have separation schemes.

He also said the previous management did not relinquish their positions because of such schemes but did not elaborate further.

The deputy minister also reprimanded the minister regarding the figures concerning the national car maker's losses.

"Would the MP be careful... Yes, Proton posted RM58 million losses but that was for the first quarter," he said.

New model

Awang said for 2005, Proton posted RM779 million pre-tax profits even though it had registered first quarter losses. He added that the current trend for 2006 also suggested the same.

The deputy minister also revealed that Proton would come out with a new model in late 2006 or early 2007.

The change of Proton's leadership had created news, especially the ouster of its former chief executive officer Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff.

In another development, the government revealed that 214 contractors have had their projects under the 8th Malaysia Plan (8MP) taken away from them.

These contractors will also be blacklisted and will not be able to apply for new tenders under the 9TH Malaysia Plan (9MP).

Works Ministry parliamentary secretary Yong Khoon Seng said his ministry had given technical assistance to the contractors and additional time for them to finish their allotted projects before taking it away from them.