MELAKA: With one million cars produced at a Japanese carmaker's manufacturing plant here, the Melaka government expressed its gratitude that none of its workforce – most of them locals – were retrenched during the Covid-19 pandemic.

       Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali thanked Honda Malaysia for prioritising the welfare of its employees despite being impacted by the pandemic.

       "I was told that not a single employee was retrenched during this difficult period and I would like to express my gratitude to Honda Malaysia," he said after officiating Honda Malaysia's milestone of producing one million units at its plant at Pegoh Industrial Park in Alor Gajah here on Wednesday (March 30).

       The event was also attended by Melaka industrial and investment committee chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

       Sulaiman said the state government is prepared to help any manufacturing plant and business in the state to recover from the economic effects of the pandemic.

       "We want them to continue their operations in the state," he said.

       Earlier, Honda Malaysia's CEO and managing director Madoka Chujo said the company started assembling its vehicles at the plant in 2003 and the rollout of the one millionth unit, the new Civic model, was historic.

       She also thanked Honda Malaysia's associates and suppliers for their efforts to ensure the production process remained smooth despite the challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the recent floods.