A history of sorts will be in the making at the Dewan Rakyat today, when International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah fields 31 questions on the Approved Permits (AP).

Quoting a Parliament source, Bernama reported that no minister or deputy minister had to deal with so many questions on a single topic before.

Questions on the automotive industry will begin from the third question onwards at today's sitting.

The controversy, sparked off by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, has put International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz in the spotlight.

Mahathir, who is also Proton adviser, had claimed that the distribution of APs is affecting the national car's market.

He also asked why certain individuals were given thousands of permits. Following this, numerous quarters called on Rafidah to resign .

'She ran away'

Yesterday, Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang saw red over Rafidah's absence from the Dewan Rakyat.

"She ran away...What is the reason? What matter is so important that she cannot come to Parliament?

"Why isn't she here to answer the Proton issue which has become a big problem?" he reportedly told the House amid cheers from other opposition parliamentarians.

According to Lim, the minister was first on the run from the press, then the cabinet and now Parliament.

"How can this be allowed to happen. If this is the case, then it is better for her to resign," he said.

The minister is currently abroad on a working visit, a fact which also riled Lim.

"Why did she go to two countries when she knows that an answer is needed here in Parliament. This is more important," he said.