"Okay publish all, publish all," was the response of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on the latest twist in the Approved Permits (AP) saga.

Speaking to Malaysian reporters in Johannesburg, South Africa, last night, the premier instructed International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz to release the full list of AP holders.

He was responding to a 21-point statement released by his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who accused Rafidah, of misleading the public on the issue.

"Okay publish all, publish all. There's no need to keep. Why should we keep. If by keeping we create negative perceptions, that's not right, that's wrong," Abdullah was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Rafidah, who had accompanied the premier on his three-day official visit to South Africa, told the same conference that she would heed the instruction.

The veteran politician, and one-time close ally of Mahathir, later told reporters that she was hurt by the former premier's remarks.

In a quick response, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry released the list of 2004 AP holders in Kuala Lumpur.

Major aspects

Earlier at the press conference, Abdullah said that he had no intention of not publishing what had already been made public.

"The list was the latest until 2005 and the public has seen the latest list. If there's anything that has been left out inadvertently, then we would furnish further. But Rafidah would be in a better position. I have given and published the list on that day," he said .

The prime minister said he was looking at the AP issue from several aspects.

"We may have to review the policy and introduce stricter regulations on the issuance of open APs to prevent abuse. They should be importing and selling cars and not selling APs," he said.

On franchise APs, he said the government would also have to review the issuance in the interests of the future, but said that he was not in a position to announce the details on the matter.

As for Proton board's decision not to renew its Chief Executive Officer Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff's contract, he said it was the board's decision which was properly made.

In his scathing statement on Tuesday, Mahathir, who is now Proton adviser, had also defended his mental state in response to Rafidah's remark that he might have forgotten certain things.

"Although I am already 80 years old, I am not senile," he said.

Clear confusion

Meanwhile, Umno Youth also called on Rafidah to clear the confusion surrounding the AP scandal.

"I hope we can get a detailed explanation as soon as possible," said the movement's deputy head Khairy Jamaluddin.

Asked on Mahathir's claim that Rafidah had misled the public, he said Umno Youth could not make any conclusion from it.

"We have heard from Rafidah and Mahathir, but because we are not involved in the administration of the country, we cannot make any conclusion on the situation.

"Whether Rafidah had misled us or did not tell the truth, we don't know. It is for her to comment, not Umno Youth," he added in a Bernama report.

He also said the government should review the national automotive policy to protect the interest of the country, and the future of Proton and Malay vendors.

"We want to see if the policy, which will be out soon, will review the AP system and if it (AP) had really helped Malay entrepreneurs or otherwise or if there had been abuse.

"We also want to see if the policy will promote the Malay agenda, Proton's future, Malay vendors and Proton's ability to compete against other makes," Khairy said.

He added that there were still many unanswered questions in the existing automotive policy, including the effectiveness of the AP system in increasing Malay entrepreneurs in the automotive industry.