Unsurprisingly, another minister has given his view about the talked-about third national car as mooted by PM, Tun Dr. Mahathir. Answering questions to reporters at the Parliament lobby earlier today, Water, Land and Natural Resources minister Dr. Xavier Jayakumar was quoted by The Star newspaper that such a project is not the main priority of the government. He also said that a full study needs to be done first to determine whether the project is even needed.

“There are many things that need to be taken into consideration before a decision is made.”

“Whether I agree or not, we must look at the study first,” Jayakumar added.

A few days ago, YB Mohd Redzuan Yusof, minister for Entrepreneur Development gave the strongest indication yet that the project is as good as confirmed when stating that the ‘national car project 3.0’ is set to launch by 2020, and that the government believed that the move could revitalise the national automotive industry.

Rafizi Ramli, in response, would like the proposal to be reconsidered as such a move was never part of Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto. Instead, he reiterates the move to end excise duties on cars which has always been seen as the quickest way to lower the price of vehicles and lessen buyer’s burden. Rafizi Ramli is the vice-president of PKR and holds no government post.