WHEN Proton Holdings Bhd's supremo Tengku Tan Sri Mahaleel Tengku Ariff made a sudden departure from the company in July 2005, he left behind a much-publicised vacant position. In less than a month, numerous names had been proposed.

Only some 40 names were shortlisted, and in the end, only one stood out - that of Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohd Tahir, the former executive director of second national car manufacturer, Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd. He was hand-picked to revive Proton's fledgling fortunes in Malaysia and its vital export markets.

Syed Zainal is no new face to the automotive world. He cut an impressive figure at Perodua, forging strong links with Toyota and Daihatsu. His departure from Perodua was a huge loss for the manufacturer, says a motoring journalist.

Perhaps, it is now national service for Syed Zainal as Proton's new managing director and chief executive officer. It would be interesting to see how he can transform the national car manufacturer in the coming years. What Proton needs now is a new `mental framework'. Can he bring the kaizen culture he learned from Perodua's foreign partners Toyota and Daihatsu to Proton?

`Proton is a national asset. The most important element at the company is its existing workforce. I believe Proton has big potential to grow further,' Syed Zainal told the Press upon his appointment to the position.

With him lies the hope of the nation's automotive industry in the new millennium. Can Syed Zainal strengthen the national automaker and forge new deals with Germany's largest automotive company Volkswagen AG?

Industry observers have pointed out that Proton is short of new ideas, including coming up with new models to replace its existing fleet comprising the Iswara, Wira and Perdana.

With his position in Proton comes the responsibility of the nation's economic goals and the livelihood of more than 100,000 people, both directly and indirectly.

Prior to Proton and Perodua, Kelantan-born Syed Zainal was a project engineer at Petronas Gas Sdn Bhd, and he climbed the ranks as senior manager, general manager and finally CEO at conglomerate Hicom Holdings Bhd.