Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad today reopened the Approved Permits (AP) can of worms after maintaining silence for several weeks over this issue.

Mahathir, who is Proton adviser, said he is disappointed that there have been no changes to the AP policy despite having exposed a litany of abuses.

"I am disappointed, that's all I can say, what else is there to say because the policy is the same," he was quoted as saying by Bernama after attending a function in Penang.

Mahathir said he has been made to understand that up to now there are "two people" who hold huge numbers of APs and anybody wishing to import vehicles must refer to them because they have an agreement as the supplier of imported cars.

"Why almost 80 percent of the AP is still given to the same people when there have been cheating where the prices of vehicles brought in are lowered to minimise taxation," he added.

Mahathir said if the policy is continued as such, Proton will lose out and control only about 10 to 20 percent of the market share in this country.

The AP issue sparked off a major controversy last year, which saw International Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rafidah Aziz bearing the brunt of it.

Disappointing decisions

As for Proton's new management, Mahathir reiterated that the management had never sought advice from him despite appointing him as adviser.

He also expressed disappointment with Proton's decision to end the contract of its former chief executive Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff although the company was successful under his stewardship.

"I am only told about it (the decisions) after they (the management) had decided on them including the decision to sell the stake in (motorcycle manufacturer) MV Augusta and ending Tengku Mahaleel's contract," he said.

Asked why the management did not seek his advice before making decisions, he replied: "I am also puzzled. As an adviser, I am the one being advised and maybe they (the management) think informing me about a decision is what seeking advice means".

On why he was still holding on to the post, he answered: "I am easy... people appoint, I accept."