Proton is taking its role as Malaysia’s national carmaker onto the international stage after being officially appointed as the Official Mobility Partner for the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026. The partnership was formalised during a vehicle handover ceremony at Menara MATRADE, officiated by Dato’ Indera Abu Bakar Yusof, Chief Executive Officer of MATRADE. Representing Proton at the ceremony was Dato’ Ir. Abdul Rashid Musa, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Proton.
Now in its 22nd edition, MIHAS 2026 will take place from 23 to 26 September 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC). The event, themed “Shaping Trust, Driving Resilience”, is officially recognised as the world’s largest Halal trade event. Bringing together global buyers, trade delegates, industry players and international media, MIHAS covers 14 strategic sectors across the Halal economy, making it an important platform for Malaysian companies looking to expand their international presence.
As part of the partnership, Proton will provide 20 vehicles for MIHAS 2026, consisting of 10 Proton X90s and 10 Proton X70s. The vehicles will be used to support the mobility requirements of international media delegates throughout the event, giving visitors from around the world an opportunity to experience Proton vehicles first-hand.
Dato’ Ir. Abdul Rashid Musa said the partnership reflects Proton’s role not only as a national automotive manufacturer, but also as a contributor to Malaysia’s wider trade and export ambitions. “Proton is proud to be the Official Mobility Partner for MIHAS 2026. As Malaysia’s national car company, supporting a platform of this scale and stature is a natural extension of who we are,” he said. “MIHAS brings together buyers, delegates and media from around the world, and we want every one of them to experience Malaysian engineering and hospitality the moment they step into one of our vehicles.” He added that the collaboration also strengthens Proton’s relationship with MATRADE, a key government stakeholder supporting Malaysia’s trade and export ecosystem.
The MIHAS partnership comes as Proton continues to increase its focus on international markets, with exports becoming an increasingly important part of the company’s growth strategy. During the first eight months of 2026, Proton exported 6,059 vehicles, already surpassing the 6,000 units exported throughout the whole of 2025.
The figures highlight the company’s expanding international footprint, with vehicles produced at Proton’s Tanjung Malim plant increasingly finding their way into overseas markets. With MIHAS attracting international buyers, delegates and media from across the global Halal economy, the event also provides Proton with an opportunity to increase its visibility among international stakeholders.
