International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz, who has been under pressure to reveal the names of Approved Permit (AP) holders, snapped at journalists in the Parliament lobby today for questioning her over a matter that remains shrouded in secrecy.

She first politely declined a reporter's persistent request to get information on the issuance of APs (to import vehicles), and proceeded to the parliamentarians' lounge after attending the question session in the House this morning.

When she came out from the lounge, reporters pressed her for comments on Umno disciplinary board's decision to slap a six-year suspension on party top vice-president Mohd Isa Abdul Samad for vote-buying.

Towards the end of the interview, she was asked again to comment on the government's reason not to reveal the names of AP holders, since Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's administration has made a commitment to good governance and transparency.

The minister turned her wrath on journalists at this point: "That's a cabinet decision, I don't want to talk about all that. You (reporters) are playing politics. Any more questions?" she asked as she started walking away.

Before leaving the lobby, she raised her voice and said: "I've told you already the cabinet has made a decision... enough, enough (on questions about the AP)."

'Not the practice'

Earlier this month, in a surprising move, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had urged the government to make public the names of those given APs, expressing concern over the large number issued.

He is advisor to Proton Holdings Bhd, the manufacturer of the national car, which is coming under intense competition from foreign imports.

Several groups, including opposition parties, have also asked the government to declassify information on AP holders.

Responding to Mahathir's call, Rafidah had said on May 31 that the list of APs holders would not be made public as it has never been the government's practice to do so.

She was quoted by national news agency Bernama as saying that, when Mahathir was prime minister, he had not asked her to disclose the names.

According to Rafidah, there were 66,277 APs were issued last year, but only 51,713 were utilised. She also said the number of APs issued should not exceed 10 percent of the domestic production of cars.