Barisan Nasional (BN) backbenchers Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) and Mohamed Aziz (Sri Gading) continued to turn up the heat on the Approved Permits (AP) issue today.

The duo, who were chided for supporting an opposition motion on the matter yesterday by deputy premier and BN whip Najib Abdul Razak, showed no signs of letting-up.

Both were dissatisfied with the explanation given by International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz in the Dewan Rakyat this morning.

In his speech on the 2006 Budget, Bung Moktar (right) described the explanation, especially concerning national car manufacturer Proton, as 'inappropriate' and 'nonsensical'.

"I think the minister should give ideas on how to improve Proton as Proton is not a privately-owned company. Or do you want Proton to be owned by foreigners?" he asked.

Earlier, Rafidah told the House that Proton should play a more proactive role in exploring markets.

Rationale questioned

However, Bung Moktar said the International Trade and Industry Ministry should not allow foreign cars to be easily imported.

"(Does the) minister want to see our national car bankrupt?" he asked

He also questioned the rationale behind the issuance of large numbers of permits when some qualified bumiputera entrepreneurs received none.

"They have been forced to buy APs from those who have been granted them. Where is the transparency? These companies are 100 percent bumiputera companies, why didn't they get APs?" he asked.

He then reiterated that Rafidah's ministry should help in developing the national car.

"Not that I don't love the minister. But I love my country more," he said, leaving the House in stitches.

Confusing explanation

Meanwhile, Mohamed told the House that Rafidah's explanation has left him confused.

"I am confused because why two people were given thousands of APs? She did not answer. Why did she not explain this?" he asked during his speech.

"Why was a former ministry official granted APs? Where is the transparency?" he continued.

He said the ministry's unveiling of a list containing the names of MPs with APs had created a misunderstanding that they were abusing their powers.

"People misunderstood that we are very rich now as we have been granted APs worth RM1 million. People see MPs as affluent," he added.

Yesterday, Bung and Mohamed landed in hot soup after supporting a motion by Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang to refer Rafidah and the ministry's secretary-general Sidek Hassan to the Privileges Committee.

Following this, Najib said the cabinet, in its weekly meeting tomorrow, will discuss their conduct.

The duo have since apologised to the deputy premier.

Appeal to PM

In a related development, opposition MPs appealed to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi not to take any disciplinary action against the two backbenchers.

An appeal letter endorsed by 11 MPs from DAP and PAS was faxed to the premier's office this afternoon.

"We opine that their action was merely to voice their concerns on the handling of the AP issue. This is in line with the PM's pledge to have a transparent, open and accountable administration.

"We also view that the practice and policy where backbenchers cannot support a motion tabled by the opposition is outdated and should be reviewed as it has restricted the exercise of democracy in the Parliament," read the letter.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz told a press conference in the House today that action against the two would not 'easily cow' MPs into not speaking out .

"It's a matter of discipline that they have broken rank and they have apologised. But I don't think our MPs will be easily cowed," he said.

Ahmad Shabery Cheek (BN-Kemaman) told reporters that to discuss Mohamed Aziz and Bung Moktar's conduct in the cabinet was inappropriate since they are not members of the administration.