'Is the AP policy nurturing bumi entrepreneurs or does it represent affirmative action involving income redistribution?'

APs stopped: Car dealers seek answers from Miti

Artchan: With this Approved Permits (APs) mentality, Malaysia will be seen as a pariah nation, and only showcasing the few bumiputera traders' inability to compete with the rest of Malaysian car traders.

APs benefit only the few connected ones. Not all bumi traders are AP holders, and yet they are still in business. Pekema (Association of Malay Importers and Traders of Motor Vehicles Malaysia) can just close shop and Malaysia will still make money from taxes from car imports as we are a nation that loves car.

Firefly: The objectives need to be more clearly defined. Is the AP policy nurturing bumi entrepreneurs or does it represent affirmative action involving income redistribution? It may not be best to cobble the two goals together.

Are the recipients the same old faces? What is the assessment on progress made in their businesses arising out of these permits?

Ultimately, policies of this type with macro-objectives may be better managed by organisations such as PNB (Permodalan Nasional Bhd), issuing dividends to the community at large, or perhaps through cooperatives.

Such bodies would serve income distribution goals more closely. It is high time to take a serious look at income distribution within the Malay community and consider whether the ways and means by which affirmative action has been implemented needs to be changed so that it is not used for the enrichment of the few.

Ananda: APs should be abolished as soon as possible. Let the rakyat enjoy the benefits. The amount we are paying for the hire-purchase of vehicles is double compared to our neighbours for the same car model.

Rajm: You give these elite Malays aid and assistance in the form of APs for another 100 years, it will still not be sufficient. They need crutches throughout their lives. They cannot compete with other races fairly and squarely.

What about the poor Malays, poor Indians and poor Chinese? Don't they also need help? Why should the government give APs only to Malays like the owners of Naza, Mutiara, etc. They are already millionaires. It is high time the issuance of Aps be stopped immediately and the Malays learn to stand by themselves.

Kumara: Nowhere else is the 'Ali Baba' syndrome is most pronounced than in this industry. The AP holders are mere rent-seekers, parasites, amassing wealth without breaking a sweat. They have no shame in using the genuine needs of deserving bumiputeras, to the extent of evoking the name of God and race for their selfish greed.

WFcoolie: Just by signing a paper or two, and you call this hard industrial production? This business is actually illegal in the eyes of the World Trade Organisation. Shuffling a piece of paper for easy money, and they call this industry?

Let the International Trade and Industry Ministry collect the processing fees. At least, the very poor Malays can benefit from the government revenue. It's just a case of asking the public to let them collect legal revenue and claiming this as an ‘industry'.

Chris T: Let's face it. Those who apply for APs are already fat and comfortable, so they just want the policy to continue as they are too lazy to compete on a level-playing field. They just can't appreciate the fact that the government want them to learn how to fish for their own survival.

Hamisu: Since when has open competition posed any threat to Pekema? This certainly shows rent-seeking is still the order of the day. Face the challenges. Don't hide behind some obscure constitution that guarantees your special position as an economic reason. We can see through you.

All these AP rubbish has caused more hardship to the rakyat. We would have been able to at least own quality cars at very reasonable prices had we not implemented this AP system. The rakyat's buying power has been eroded radically with sky-high car prices.

We could have better used our income for other purchases that supports local consumption. Instead, we are all bogged down by hefty car installments just to get quality cars.

Furthermore, all the taxes from sky-high car prices has not translated into better public transportation.

Frustrated: Why do Pekema members still need to loot the country?

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