BREAKING: Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin resigns?

This one is just in. A report from The Edge suggests that Proton’s managing director, Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin, has tendered his resignation from the national automaker. Sources within the company say that his bow out has apparently been brought about by differences with the future owners of the company, DRB-Hicom, over the change in Proton’s future direction.

The report adds that according to the sources, senior management personnel may follow suit with a flurry of resignations in the coming weeks in light of Syed Zainal’s departure. Senior politicians and government officials have been unsuccessful in persuading Syed Zainal to reconsider his decision, they said.

The resignation is news to many at the national automaker, even with corporate comms, according to the report; meanwhile, a top management source in Proton also said that he is not aware of the resignation. If the report is true, then the resignation and those to follow suit might create a massive power void within the company.

We’ve been informed by Proton that an official statement is being prepared. More news to follow later in the day.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 10 Apr 12 02:49:15 +0000.

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