The dispute between former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and International Trade and Industry minister Rafidah Aziz over the Approved Permits (AP) issue is not a personal matter.

Instead, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said it is an issue of public interest involving the government's credibility and integrity.

He said it is absurd to describe it as a personal matter when it involves the alleged misuse of thousands of permits worth billions of rinngit.

"How can this matter be not an official issue when the future of Proton and its 300,000 employees are at stake, until Mahathir in exasperation challenged the government to close down Proton?" he asked in a statement today.

He said the dispute is a real issue that affects the official duties and responsibilities of the government because it involves a former premier and a current minister.

Lim was commenting on the statement by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz yesterday that it was a personal matter between Mahathir and Rafidah.

The minister said the government has no plans to set up a commission to investigate the controversy.

"A cordial relationship or otherwise between Dr Mahathir and the minister is more of a personal problem between them. The official duties and responsibilities of the government are not affected," he was quoted as saying.

'Naive and irresponsible'

Lim dismissed these remarks as 'naive and irresponsible'. He said this showed that the government has failed to 'walk the talk in fighting corruption'.

"Mahathir has hinted that he was 'played out' by Rafidah, when he was prime minister, into announcing Naza Kia Carnival as a 'national car'. Rafidah has failed to respond or show proof that she was not involved in the AP scandal.

"These are very serious allegations that will garner wide international coverage as Mahathir being synonymous with Malaysia, is still an international news maker," said the opposition politician.

He said Mahathir's allegations cannot be ignored as they would have an adverse effect on the country's economy, especially in terms of foreign investment.

"No foreign investor would want to invest in a country where its ministers dare to 'play out' their own prime minister," he noted.

Lim said the government must resolve the matter expeditiously by issuing an ultimatum to Rafidah to either disprove Mahathir's claims or resign.