Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak supports the establishment of parliamentary select committees for national integrity and information technology, claimed Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang today.

"Najib also promised to look into the proposal for a wide-ranging review of parliamentary reform and modernization with Malaysia's nearing half-a-century of parliamentary democracy," he said in a statement addressing issues he had discussed in a meeting with Najib yesterday.

Lim said he had conveyed his concerns to the deputy premier that the slow space of progress in the past 15 months to transform the Malaysian Parliament into a "first class Parliament".

He said although there had been some improvements but "they are just not good enough in terms of what have been done in the past 15 months to restore Parliament to its proper position of centrality in the political system".

Among the improvements he cited were the setting up of two parliamentary select committees -criminal procedure code/penal code amendments and national service/national unity - and the recent directive by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to cabinet ministers to be present in Parliament to answer questions and address important issues.

Unveil APs list

Lim said he also emphasised to Najib the urgent need for a parliamentary debate on the Police Royal Commission Report.

The report submitted to the government in May had made 125 recommendation to reform the police force which has been perceived by many as brutal and riddled with graft.

Lim said in turn the deputy premier has expressed concern that the debate on the report may become a police-bashing exercise.

"This concern is misplaced as the government should have greater confidence in the MPs, whether BN or opposition, who can agree that the primary purpose of the debate is how best to create a world-class police force rather than to engage in 'police-bashing'," he said.

Lim said Najib was also urged to unveil the list of beneficiaries of approved permits (APs) for imported cars.

He said the issue should not be resolved privately between former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz.

"The rights and interests of 26 million Malaysians are directly involved and they are entitled to the full facts and explanations about the improprieties in the issue of APs," he said.

Mahathir who is also Proton advisor had questioned Rafidah on the concentrations of APs on only a few companies and the national automotive policy whether it protects the interest of national cars.

Today, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the issue has been settled as Rafidah has written an explanation letter to Mahathir as requested by the cabinet.