Syed Zainal still boss, says Proton

SUBANG JAYA: Proton has denied a speculative report in a financial daily that its group managing director, Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, has resigned.

The national auto maker said it "was not aware of the source of this speculation."

"Syed Zainal is still holding the position of the group managing director of Proton, and his services are still required in the company," it said in a statement today.

"The post-acquisition exercise is still proceeding smoothly and upon the completion of the same, Proton is expected to have a strong synergy of current and new management team members that will provide Proton with the necessary impetus to lead the company in its aspiration to become a globally successful automotive player."

The newspaper had published today on its front page that Syed Zainal had resigned from the company.

On March 16, Proton had announced that Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh had resigned as its chairman and director with immediate effect.

In a filing to Bursa Malaysia that day, the national auto maker said his resignation was part of a term stipulated in the sales and purchase agreement between Khazanah Nasional Bhd and DRB-Hicom Bhd, Proton's new owner.