Yup, spot on!
A customer care executive by the name of Ariff from proton edar just called explaining (after I threatened to bring the issue to media ;p). He said he had confirmed with technical dept that the rust is non lethal, and only happen on the surface. It is due to the grade of steel used for Iriz's engine manifold, which isn't premium, which explain the current price. I replied "what are you saying? So what? The price isn't cheap!". Then he responded "u can ask the mechanics at the SC to clean it and clarify further if needed. But we guarantee that the rust isn't alarming"

On the sound coming from the dashboard, I think I'll lodge a serious complain to SC soon. Currently still monitoring as I only started to notice it last night as it was my wife who's been driving  the car previously...