Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said he wants the names of companies who are allegedly unqualified to hold Approved Permits (AP) to import cars.
"Can you give me the names? We will look into it," Mahathir asked at a press conference in Putrajaya.
Automotive portal DS&F (Drive Safe and Fast) had quoted an unnamed existing AP holder as saying that the Pakatan Harapan government had approved 38 new companies as permit holders. The portal has since revised the number to 36.
It quoted the anonymous AP holder as claiming that the new AP holders were trying to sell off their permits to more established companies.
The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) has confirmed that 36 new permits were issued this year.
It also stated that most of these new companies were not yet “fully in operation” despite a condition which required AP applicants to have a minimum of two years’ experience in selling and distributing motor vehicles.
Mahathir had previously been a critic of the AP scheme in 2005, butting heads with then international trade and industry minister Rafidah Aziz.
Mahathir had then said that APs only enriched a few while putting local cars at a disadvantage.
He stood by his criticisms today.
"I feel that there is a need for proper regulation with regards to AP.
"What happened, of course, was that after I stepped down (as prime minister in 2003), APs were given to everybody.
"Some people became very rich as a result but I think APs are a way for people who are not in the automotive business to go into the business in an easy way," he said. - Mkini
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