The government will not force Proton Holdings Bhd and Perodua rival to join as shareholders of both automakers have to agree that to happen, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
"There is a long-range ... involved at one end is loose and cooperation in other, a merger, which has yet to be decided, " he told reporters after announcing new development programs for small businesses in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The government is the major shareholder Khazanah Nasional Bhd in Proton away, while Japan's Daihatsu owns a majority of the manufacturing arm of Perusahaan Otomobil Sdn Bhd's Kedu.
While Proton, which needs to reduce excess capacity at its plant in Tanjung Malim, wants a merger, Perodua is not enthusiastic.
"Several scenarios have to be discussed at this point, as the development and supplier sourcing of components, " Mustapa said, declining to elaborate.
"It 's possible ... even if it is still (early stage)."
Proton and Perodua control 70 percent of the country's passenger car market.
In December last year, the government has made a study of third-party perspective on the merger between the two companies.
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