PAS has urged the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to take immediate action on the allegations made by Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the lack of transparency in the distribution of approved permits (APs).

Kamaruddin Jaffar (PAS-Tumpat) said today that the ACA should investigate those involved in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry for the lopsided system in the granting of APs.

Mahathir had revealed that out of 67,000 APs issued last year, 54.400 were given to only 20 companies.

"Why is that only a small number of bumiputeras are benefiting from this", the former prime minister asked.

Kamaruddin also asked the government to give a clear picture of the national car import policy to the public.

"The distribution of APs is best done through public auction where it can increase the national revenue and reduce incidents of impropriety," he told reporters at Parliament lobby.

"The AP distribution system is not transparent and this has undermined the national automobile industry where automobile importers only import and assembly the cars, then sell them in the local market without consideration for the New Economy Policy," he added.

"The under-declaring of the RM11,000 Korea Complete Build Up (CBU) cars does not make sense because it is actually lower than the cost. This is an unethical move by the Malaysian Custom," the PAS secretary-general charged.

Kamaruddin said the present Proton crisis took place because there is no clear leadership in the national car company, adding that there must be a clear principle of accountability in Proton's management.

Motion to Parliament

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) submitted an emergency motion to Parliament today to debate the Proton crisis and the test of will between Mahaleel-Mahathir and Rafidah-Proton Board.

"Parliament must urgently debate the latest crisis in the 20-year-old Proton, not just who is right or wrong, Mahaleel and Mahathir or Rafidah and the Proton Board, but what is in the best interests of the nation and 26 million Malaysian," he said in a statement.

The ordinary motion submitted under Standing Order 27 (3) requires 14 days' notice. It will be displayed in the order paper, but whether it will be debated will depend on availability of time.

The Proton chief executive Tengku Mahaleel Ariff, in an interview with a Chinese daily, much to the chagrin of the Proton Board, lamented that Proton was being treated unfairly under a government policy that was not transparent and discriminatory with Proton unable to figure who its enemies are.

This comment was criticised by International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz, saying that Proton should not blame others but should look into its own weaknesses.

Then Mahathir, also Proton advisor, defended Mahaleel and questioned Rafidah over the issuance of APs and her failure to investigate the under-declaration of Korean cars.

Being impartial

In another statement Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said that Mahathir as the advisor to the national car should stay above the managerial conflicts.

"... It is unwise for the advisor to meddle in the administration of Proton or to take sides in the confrontations," she said.

"Keadilan believes that the management of Proton should initiate a new development strategy and to undertake bold restructuring to ensure the survival of the industry. This has been long overdue and actions must be taken without further delay," added the Permatang Pauh MP.