The Transport Ministry's denial yesterday that the government planned to introduce a car lifespan policy is mere backtracking of its earlier statements made by acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, DAP's Seputeh MP Teresa Kok pointed out today.

Yesterday, Deputy Transport Minister Abdul Aziz Kaprawi denied that the government ever planned to introduce such a policy and put the blame on " opposition speculation ".

NONE Kok in a statement today pointed out that Hishamnuddin was reported as saying on Tuesday that the government planned to press ahead with the policy of a 12-year lifespan for cars and that it would find a "mechanism" to ensure this does not burden the people.

Hishamuddin is quoted as having said so in a report in the online portal The Malaysian Insider .

Kok also noted that deputy minister Aziz himself had said last Sunday that the Road Transport Department (RTD) would decide soon on the car lifespan policy.

"How could Aziz put the blame on the Opposition when he himself had on Sunday said that the Road Transport Department (JPJ) will decide soon on a policy to impose a lifespan on cars?" Kok asked.

"So the truth is that the federal government has quickly made a U-turn, due to strong public objections," she added.

As such, Kok reiterated that Hishammuddin was better off heading the Defence Ministry alone and not handling two ministries at the same time, as he was now doing.

"I have said it will be better that he only heads the Defence Ministry, so that he can devote more time to ensure the safety of the Sabah coastline," she said.

"His earlier comments about the now aborted proposal to impose a cap on the lifespan of cars further proves that he indeed should not be taking charge of two ministries."