The Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BBC) has questions about the guidelines used in issuing Approved Permits (AP), claiming that these have not been approved by the government.

According to BBC head Shahrir Samad, the International Trade and Industry Ministry changed the AP issuance policy last year.

"The number of APs was initially based on 10 percent of car production. However, in 2004 this was changed to 10 percent of total vehicle production," said Shahrir, who is Johor Baru MP.

"We think this change of policy should have been approved by the government, but we believe there was no such approval. As a result, there was a sudden jump of APs issued from 20,000 to 60,000," he said when contacted today.

Shahrir made these comments after leading a seven-member delegation to meet with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in Putrajaya this afternoon.

The 90-minute meeting was held to solicit Mahathir's views on the national automotive policy and the recent controversy over the APs.

Criteria unclear

At the same meeting, the BBC also suggested a review of the 'national car' status that has been accorded to four car companies.

Shahrir said the four are Proton, Perodua, Naza and Inokom. This status provides for a rebate on the local excise duty for cars produced by these companies.

"It is not clear under what circumstances a car company is given 'national car' status. The four companies are different and have different (organisational) structures, So what are the criteria?" he asked.

Asked whether he was making the statement in reference to Naza, Shahrir said this referred to all four companies.

He said the suggested review had been "received well" by Mahathir, but refused to elaborate on the discussions apart from saying that the former premier had shared information on the history and knowledge on the automotive industry.

He said the BBC wants to know the answers to these issues and that it will continue to raise the matter during parliamentary debate during the next sitting in September.

Shahrir also revealed that the BBC will meet with International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz on Aug 15 to obtain her views on the issues involved.