Dr Mahathir Disappointed AP Policy Remains Unchanged

Dr Mahathir Disappointed AP Policy Remains Unchanged

PENANG, Feb 20 (Bernama) -- Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Monday expressed disappointment over the fact that no change has been made in the policy on the issuance of Approved Permits (APs) for vehicle imports although he had exposed several abuses in its issuance."I'm disappointed, that's all I can say, what else can I say because the policy remains unchanged," he said after delivering a public lecture entitled "Developing The Nation" organised by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), here.Dr Mahathir, who is also Proton advisor, said he had been made to understand that there were still "two people" who were holding a substantial number of APs and anyone wishing to import motor vehicles had to refer to these "two people" because they had signed an agreement as suppliers of imported cars."Why is it that almost 80 per cent of the APs are still given to the same people, the people that we have censured, whereas the price of the vehicles brought into the country had been under-declared to pay less tax," he said.Dr Mahathir said that if such a policy on the issuance of APs persisted, then the national car Proton would lose its market share and might only control between 10 and 20 per cent of the market share in its own country.The issue sparked a controversy last year after some quarters questioned the procedure on the issuance of the imported vehicles' permits.On Proton's new management team, Dr Mahathir said the management of the national car manufacturer had never sought his advice although he was the company's adviser.He also regretted Proton's move to terminate the contract of its former Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff despite the company having shown a good performance under his (Mahaleel's) stewardship."I was only informed after they (Proton management) had made a decision including the decision to sell the MV Agusta (motorcycle manufacturer) stake and to end Tengku Mahaleel's contract," he said.Asked on why the Proton management did not ask for his advice before making the decision, Dr Mahathir said: "I feel rather odd. As an adviser, I was the one who was advised, and perhaps by informing me on a certain decision, they (Proton management) thought they were seeking (my) advice." On why he was still holding the position as adviser if his advice was not sought, Dr Mahathir said: "I am a very nice man...people have appointed me, so I accepted it."-- BERNAMA