Thumbs up for local bus maker
The Star – 23 March 2006
PUTRAJAYA: “Looks neat and nice. Its design is also beautiful.”   
That was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s observation when he was shown a locally-produced bus manufactured by SKS Coach Builders.  
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and other ministers attended the event, held at the premises of the Prime Minister’s Office here before the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting.  
“If possible, we want to use buses that are made by our people. That is important. The capability is already there,” Abdullah told reporters.  
The buses, produced by the company which have been in operation in Puchong for the past 10 years, had been bought by transport companies such as Mara Liner and Airebus.  
The bus uses local components, except for the engine, which is imported from Germany.  
Touching on the components factor, Abdullah said, if possible, buses produced locally should use local parts.  
“If possible, we should produce our own. But if the components are not available in the country, then we can import them (as a temporary measure),” he said.  
SKS Coach Builders managing director Hussein Mohamed said his company could produce between 40 and 80 buses a month.  
It also exports the buses to China, India, Hong Kong, Australia and Bangladesh. 
Source: The Star | http://thestar.com.my