Malaysian carmaker Proton Holdings Bhd says it is ready to collaborate in the Asean car project.

Proton CEO Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah said Asean is the next largest growing market in the world after China, and Asean countries should protect their own market territory by producing their own homegrown products.

"We would be very happy to extend our market deeper into other Asean countries with their collaboration, in expanding our brand further," he said when asked to comment on the Asean car project, which was discussed by Malaysian and Indonesian leaders in October.

On Oct 20, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the project would be a dream come true as newly-elected Indonesian President Joko Widodo or Jokowi had expressed interest in pursuing the idea mooted by Malaysia.

After meeting Jokowi in Jakarta following his inauguration as the Indonesian President, Najib said Proton is expected to be involved in the project.

Abdul Harith said as a Malaysian company and a household brand in the local industry, Proton would continue to channel its energy into realising the government’s strategic objectives.

The CEO said Proton is already an Asean car, as it has its own manufacturing facilities producing locally branded cars, unlike auto makers in other Asean countries.

"Proton is ever willing to assist any country that is willing to grow together with us, with the blessings of the Malaysian government," he told Bernama.

Meanwhile, Abdul Harith said 2015 would be another milestone for Proton as the year marks 30 years of the inauguration of Malaysia’s first national car.

"Obviously, Proton has been a part of Malaysians over all these years, and we wish to return all accolades to every Malaysian who has been instrumental in making Proton a household name in the country, as well as in the region," he added.