The trade and industry minister statement that the government will not release the names of the beneficiaries of Approved Permits (APs) for imported cars is mind-boggling and doesn't make any sense.

To say that it has never done before speak volumes about the lack of openness with regards to the criteria of those who are awarded these lucrative APs.

What is there to be afraid of in naming these individuals who have benefitted tremendously and have become rich and prosperous?

One cannot help but feel that the minister seems to be at loggerheads with the former premier with regards to this AP business. Which just goes to show that when you are in power, everybody listens to you but once out of power, your voice will not carry weight anymore.

The Proton adviser must have been miffed to see that after 20 years of government protection, the national car cannot compete with foreign models which have a better quality and a cheaper price.

One also cannot dismiss the possibility that this AP issue has been blown up by the former premier after his cronies cried foul over their APs being withdrawn from them and awarded to individuals who are close to the present leadership.

I will bet my last ringgit that if the list of AP holders comes out, you will see the names of a lot of politicians and their cohorts on it. Will this be a very big surprise?