KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 — The government today assured Bumiputera approved permit (AP) holders, who will be affected by the stoppage in AP issuance by 2015, that they will be given assistance under the special fund set from the RM10,000 fee charged for each AP issued.
Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir (picture), who gave the assurance, said the government established the fund to help develop Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the automotive industry and related businesses.
“We charged RM10,000 for every AP issued to set up the fund and the money will be used to ensure a smooth and orderly shift of Bumiputera entrepreneurs to other business sectors.
“By having the fund, we hope to execute the shift orderly and smoothly,” he told reporters after officiating at the soft launch of the Muslim World Biz 2011 exhibition.
On claims by the Association of Malay Importers and Traders of Motor Vehicles Malaysia (Pekema) that 70,000 workers in the automotive industry would lose their jobs if the AP policy on imported vehicles was enforced by 2015, Mukhriz said they must show proof of the claim.
“They need to prove that statement because we have our own figures. We have been helping them for a long time, some about 30 years already.
“I think they will benefit greatly from this government policy. At this time, there are many more Bumiputera companies who wished they have the APs enjoyed by the 98 companies (selected by the government).
“There are about 160 companies eligible to get APs but the government will stick to the 98 companies and will protect them until 2015,” he added. — Bernama
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