PAS Youth today filed a police report against International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz over the issuance of approved permits (APs).

The report was lodged by Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub at the Dang Wangi police station in Kuala Lumpur.

Also named were Tourism Minister Leo Michael Toyad and prominent businessman Vincent Tan, both of whom were AP recipients.

In his report, Salahuddin questioned the approval of 103 APs to Toyad as he claimed there was a conflict of interest for a member of the administration to receive the APs from the government itself.

He also questioned how could a substantial number of APs be issued to Tan, who is Berjaya Group Bhd chairperson, and the group through Hyumal Motors Sdn Bhd as he seem to have unfulfilled the government's criteria to own APs.

In 1997, a total of 8,573 APs for Hyundai cars were issued to Hyumal Motors, which was owned by Berjaya Group, Sime Darby Bhd and Tan, according to the APs holders list.

However, Tan has since clarified that he and Berjaya Group no longer hold shares in Hyumal.

The ministry had explained that there are two criteria considered in issuing an AP - the applicant's company must be 70 percent owned by bumiputra and the company must have exclusive agency agreement direct with foreign car manufacturers.

"Based on this condition, I suspect there was a breach in the AP (approval) from 1997 to 2004 since Tan, who is a non-bumiputra, owned more than 30 percent in Hyumal through his personal and Berjaya Group shares," Salahuddin said in the report.

Under-declaration

Another issue that was listed in the report was the under-declaration of foreign cars. He cited media reports which disclosed that a Subaru Impreza valued at RM201,000 in the market was declared for only RM20,000.

Whereas a Mini Cooper worth between RM140,000 and RM190,000 was only declared as RM16,000. The under-declaration resulted in losses for the government, he said.

"I ask the police to conduct an in-depth investigation against Rafidah and her involvement in the issuance of APs to fulfill Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wish for an efficient enforcement agency and the people's wish to see transparency in the AP issuance," he added.

Speaking to reporters outside the police station, Salahuddin said Rafidah was "irresponsible" for not giving a satisfactory explanation on whether there was any abuse in the issuance of APs during her winding-up speech at the Umno general assembly.

He stressed that Rafidah should have explained how four people could receive more than 25,000 of the total 67,158 APs issued for this year.

"Her explanation cannot convince the people. The only way to ascertain whether she is guilty or not is a full police investigation, bring her to court, and let the court determine it," he added.

He said former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad should be listed as a key witness in the investigation as it is 'impossible' for him to claim ignorance or having overlooked the matter when in office.

On the calls for Rafidah to step down, Salahuddin said a thorough investigation must be done first to ensure that her resignation would not brush aside the controversy.