KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 – Proton Holdings Bhd today confirmed the resignation of Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir as the Group Managing Director, effective July 4, 2012.

“Syed Zainal has been with Proton for over six years and we are grateful for his contributions to the company.

“He has decided to leave Proton on his own accord to pursue his own interests and we respect his decision,” said the national car maker in a statement following media queries.

The company also announced the resignation of Chief Financial Officer Azhar Othman, effective July 6.

“We wish them all the best in their future endeavours,” it said.

Following Syed Zainal’s departure, the Executive Chairman, Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil, will continue his leadership role in steering the company forward.

Established in 1983, Proton is a subsidiary of DRB-HICOM Bhd and is Malaysia’s largest manufacturer of automobiles, and the only full-fledged original equipment manufacturer or car manufacturer in Southeast Asia.

It operates in key markets from the United Kingdom to the Middle East and across Southeast Asia and Australasia, especially in countries like China and Iran. – Bernama