Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who officiated the launch of the car over three decades ago, shared a few nostalgic photos of the launch with a short message to celebrate the occasion via his Twitter account.
“Proton Saga is now 35 years old. Still going strong. Happy Birthday Proton Saga,” the nonagenarian wrote in a handwritten note.
Happy 35th Anniversary Saga. pic.twitter.com/13H8BXNZhk
— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) July 9, 2020
Malaysians share fond memories
This prompted other Malaysians to share their wonderful memories with the first Proton Saga, with some even saying that they still have it to this day.There were also few who joked that the first edition of the Saga was very well-made, like the legendary Nokia 3310.
But most of them say that the OG Proton Saga was their father’s first ever car, and we’re sure that many Malaysians can also vouch the same thing for their family:
Antara kereta bersejarah di Malaysia.
— Rio | リオ (@RioKiruna) July 9, 2020
Biarpun rebadged dari kereta Mitsubishi, tapi ini membuktikan bahawa Malaysia boleh jadi hebat. ??? https://t.co/qgjWkPCtSi
Saga ni macam Nokia 3310. Utuh dan masih elok berfungsi walaupun ribut datang melanda. Enjin masih sedap. Body masih elok lawa. Produk buatan Malaysia. #Saga35thAnniversary https://t.co/XifMwx13ku
— Fikri Roslan (@fikriwiki) July 9, 2020
betul2 strong weh. aku pernah bawak saga abah aku. langgar pintu kete viva. kemek viva tu derr! saga abah aku rileks je satu calr pun xdee ? https://t.co/tOPfZz158n
— p'yqaa (@p_yqaa) July 9, 2020
Aku ingat lagi, pinjam saga, terlangar tiang parking, tak kemek lansung. Gila hard body kereta dulu2. https://t.co/20adGui6Tu
— rainbow (@redpelangi) July 9, 2020
Kereta favourite arwah atok.. Tak kira la kereta yang lain lagi lawa ke lagi canggih ke, tetap kereta saga yang dia suka ? https://t.co/LhgtVlVwWk
— grah (@ndzirh_) July 9, 2020
Kereta yg hantar aku masuk sekolah menengah. Lepastu takde rezeki pulak nak ambik aku dari cuti sekolah sbb engine problem huhuhu. Tq Saga. Our very first car with air-conditioner https://t.co/Zb5IOcqekQ
— Naufal Nasorllah Antezem (@NaufalAntezem) July 9, 2020
Kereta atok saya masih steady lagi. Body dia kental lagi https://t.co/PhLtFIm1kp
— ? (@hryshh) July 9, 2020
My dad still owned this, the first generation never disappointed! Everything was perfectly created as it best! https://t.co/6MVuVIDAaq
— イクワン (@iq_hwan) July 9, 2020
nostalgic. this was actually my family first car. ingat lagi green saga plate 5151 ? https://t.co/svly3Rvtln
— Khai (@aliyahkhairani) July 9, 2020
My dad's first car. Warna kelabu tak silap. Also the car he brought to mom's maktab perguruan untuk bawa pi dating back in penang. Hahaha.
— shrazghfr (@shrazghfr) July 9, 2020
Sold it when they moved to ipoh. Last time we saw the car, it was a few years back. Mom was like,
"Eh. Tu saga abah tu!" ? https://t.co/jAmdxEFwqH
My dad first car warna hijau zamrud. Kereta dh umur 22tahun. Still boleh jalan jauh lagi, kat dlm kereta tu la mak aku hmpir terberanak aku 20tahun yg lepas time otw ke hospital? https://t.co/FBrMl7AGpY
— ? (@wanieamel_amel) July 9, 2020
During my childhood, my father loves to brought me around the town of Batu Pahat with his white Proton Saga. Still remember the freezy feel of air-cond from that car. For me, first gen Proton Saga remains the symbol of Malaysia Boleh! https://t.co/DEn13OsxcA
— 박 시 원 (@siwon_pisces) July 9, 2020
Wahhh ingat lagi, ni kereta saga ni mmg terbaik- masa dulu steady Ayah drive kami dari hujung malaysia ke hujung malaysia.
— Tuan Youdin (@Youdin_Azhar) July 9, 2020
kekal sebuah lejen hingga kini ? https://t.co/OGpzbJ7kye
Mak saya & her legendary Saga pic.twitter.com/yKkMxoP44C
— fauzimnm (@fauzimnm_) July 9, 2020
Happy 35th Anniversary Saga pic.twitter.com/oM0Lj0J4LW
— nazihahs(ijan) (@shahizanyakop) July 9, 2020
Happy 35th Birthday Saga! pic.twitter.com/4X9q1WJSe4
— KuAzrie (@kuazrie) July 9, 2020
Happy anniversary saga pic.twitter.com/A5KcLRELm9
— Apan (@mhmdsyfqq01) July 9, 2020
My dad's fourth car. Happy 35th anniversary, Proton??
— ainMohamad90 (@_ainmazing) July 9, 2020
**** but that wasn't me. It was my big sister pic.twitter.com/vizmB22zEz
In conjunction with the Proton Saga’s anniversary, Proton has launched a special edition Saga with a cool black and yellow tone.
Click on the link down below to find out more about the special model:
Happy birthday, Proton Saga!
You’ve helped us Malaysians weathered through many storms, shared happy memories, and even ‘accompanied’ us in making a living. May you forever stay iconic and strong for many decades to come.