Dr Mahathir must take responsibility over Proton's failure, Rahman Dahlan says

Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan has called on former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to take the responsibility over Proton's state of financial affair.

He said Dr Mahathir must come forward and answer why the national car maker is in serious financial trouble despite of billions of Ringgit poured into it.

The UMNO supreme council member in a series of tweets, said a a total of RM13.9bil has been pumped into Proton since 1983.

So Proton is in serious trouble & in need of billions. Tun must take responsibility for Proton's colossal failure of idea and chairmanship.
— Abdul Rahman Dahlan (@mpkotabelud) April 2, 2016

Tun must come forward and answer why Proton is in serious financial trouble despite billions of rakyat's money poured into Proton.
— Abdul Rahman Dahlan (@mpkotabelud) April 2, 2016

Recently billions pumped into MAS. Now Proton. Interestingly, they have one glaring denominator. What or who? Your guess is as good as mine.
— Abdul Rahman Dahlan (@mpkotabelud) April 2, 2016

RM13.9 billion of rakyat's money pumped into Proton since 1983. It's sad to see some get all riled up when relevant questions posed at Tun.
— Abdul Rahman Dahlan (@mpkotabelud) April 2, 2016

On March 31, Dr Mahathir announced that he is resigning as Proton chairman and chairman of Group Lotus plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Proton.

READ: Dr Mahathir resigns as Proton chairman

Dr Mahathir said he has also relinquished his post as the Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Petronas, effective Mar 30, 2016

Abdul Rahman said "horror stories" of the former premier's interference and "dictatorial leadership style" in Proton are slowly emerging following his resignation.

Horror stories of Non-Executive Chairman's direct interference and "dictatorial leadership style" in Proton are slowly emerging. Shocking!
— Abdul Rahman Dahlan (@mpkotabelud) April 2, 2016

Yesterday, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed announced several terms for Proton to receive financial aid from the government.

Mustapa said the government believed that the current business model adopted by Proton was not sustainable.

READ: Mustapa sets terms for govt support of Proton

Among the conditions set are; Proton must be professionally managed; no interference in its business; and tough but necessary measures must be put in place for its long-term sustainability.