Former M'sian PM Receives Honorary Doctorate In Automotive Engineering

KUANTAN (Pahang, Malaysia), May 18 (Bernama) -- Former Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was conferred an honorary doctorate on Thursday in automotive engineering by Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) (University of Malaysia, Pahang) for his contributions to the national automotive industry. The conferment was made by the Crown Prince of Pahang, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who is also Chancellor of UMP, at a special convocation, here. Tengku Abdullah said the former prime minister had succeeded in developing the national automotive industry and made Malaysia a highly competitive nation on the global stage today. "Now, after 29 years, Malaysia is proud as it can utilise local experts to develop the industry from the design stage to engine development. Awarding the honorary degree will inspire more successes and excellence among Malaysians," he said in his address. Dr Mahathir, in his speech, said citizens of an independent nation must develop their economic capability in the mould of their independence without compromising sovereignty in any form, consciously or otherwise. He said the automotive industry was also centred on patriotic awareness that Malaysians needed to learn to trust and value national brands. "The success in science and technology achieved by others can also be owned by the country if we dare to learn, try and are prepared to undergo hardships. "The national automative industry does not merely want Malaysia to be a leader in vehicle assembly but to master all aspects of the industry covering design, making components, engineering until engine development," he said. At the same time, the value of patriotism in the industry was also related to the capability of the country to produce its own experts and skilled manpower to retain its sustainability without being overly dependent on outside sources. Dr Mahathir said UMP also had an active role in developing automotive engineering as among the niche areas of the university. "For example, the cooperation between UMP and its strategic partner from Germany, Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences to offer a twinning degree in automotive engineering is capable of shaping the national automotive industry significantly with the involvement of more local expert manpower. "This was what had been proven through the development of the national automotive industry which started with Proton Saga since 1983 and admitting the Malaysia automotive brand lined with various models and designs is a product of the bravery of Malaysians," he added. Speaking to reporters later, the former prime minister said Chinese extremists were seen as seeking to block the support of the community for the Barisan Nasional (BN). National Front, or commonly abbreviated as BN, is a major political coalition in Malaysia formed in 1973. He said although the support of the people was increasing for the BN in facing the upcoming general election, the support of the Chinese community would decide the success of BN. "The votes of the Malays is split into three (Umno, Pas and PKR). The votes of the Chinese will be the decider. Based on this, the extremists want the Chinese community to play a bigger role (in deciding the direction of national politics," he said. -- BERNAMA