AP kings rolling in millions
Nurul NazirinPublished: Jul 19, 2005 3:22 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
After the Prime Minister's Department released the Approved Permits (AP) figures, Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang today came up with some staggering calculations.
After the Prime Minister's Department released the Approved Permits (AP) figures, Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang today came up with some staggering calculations.
According to him, Nasimuddin SM Amin, Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim, Mohd Haniff Abd Aziz and Azzuddin Ahmad could make between RM375 million and RM472 million from the 28,283 APs issued to them in 2005 alone if averaged at RM30,000 each.
"With each AP worth between RM20,000 and RM40,000 in the market, the Ministry of Trade and Industry had provided Nasimuddin the opportunity to make some RM375 million from the 12,524 APs," he said in a statement
He questioned the basis for issuing the large number of franchise and open APs to Nasimuddin. They were obtained via five companies - Naza Kia Sdn Bhd, Next Car Sdn Bhd, NZ Wheel (M) Sdn Bhd, Nasim Sdn Bhd and Naza-Brabus Sdn Bhd between year 1997 and 2004.
Out of the 12,524 APs, Nasimuddin had 3,112 open APs approved in 1998.
Meanwhile, Syed Azman, Mohd Haniff and Azzuddin received 15,759 franchise APs through five companies - Weststar Motorsport Sdn Bhd, Atlantic Star Auto Sdn Bhd, Auto Pacific Star Sdn Bhd, Global World Trade Sdn Bhd and Territorial Star Sdn Bhd.
PM commended
Lim also commended Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for releasing the list of AP holders, saying the country could be at a turning point 'to break from an opaque past of cronysim and corruption'.
Under the open AP, permit holders are allowed to import new and used cars from any sources. However, the issuance of these APs was terminated in1998.
Franchise APs are issued to companies which have exclusive agency agreements with foreign car manufacturers.
Yesterday, the list of 67,158 APs - issued as early as 1970 till this year - was released by the Prime Minister's office amidst the controversy surrounding the matter.
It was the first time ever that the names of AP recipients were made public despite statements by government leaders earlier that the policy of not revealing their names would remain.
The AP issue made newspaper headlines when former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the issuance of large numbers of these permits had led to unfair competition against the national car, Proton.
Mahathir had earlier claimed that out of the 67,000 APs issued last year, only 12,600 were given to 82 companies while the bulk of 54,000 APs were given to 20 companies.
The cabinet told International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz to write a letter to reply the issues raised by Mahathir.
Launch investigation
In a related development, DAP Youth said releasing the list is not the end of the episode.
The wing queried if there were any elements of malpractice, corruption and wrong-doing in issuing the large huge number of APs to these individuals and companies.
It also called for the abolishment of the AP system since "it is a breeding ground for cronyism and the system has caused tax evasion amounting to RM1 billion every year."
Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice president Dr Syed Husin Ali called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
"The government has to do more. Let the Anti-Corruption Agency and Public Accounts Committee investigate. The police should also be allowed to investigate and not be restrained just because the minister is involved," he said when contacted later.
He also asked why the holders were given APs through various companies."Is there any hidden power related to certain companies?"
Other names on the APs list included Mokhzani Mahathir (the son of the former premier), Mohammadiah Moner, Ilyas Mohamed, Syed Hussain Syed Mohammed, Abdul Hamid Ibrahim, Mohd Nazmi Mohd Salleh, Tunku Datok Zainol Tengku Izham, Tunku Syed Amir Abidin and Dr Soh Thiam Hong.
Syed Azman (left) and Mohd Haniff (right) were given 1,280 permits to import Suzuki cars under Global World Trade Sdn Bhd and another 896 to import Audi cars under Territorial Star Sdn Bhd in this year.
Nasimuddin imported Kia, Mercedes Benz, Peugeot, Ferrari, odena, Maserati, Rolls Royce, Bentley and Brabus cars.
Among other major recipients was 8,573 APs for Hyundai cars issued in 1997 to Hyumal Motor Sdn Bhd, owned by Berjaya Group Bhd, Sime Darby Bhd and Vincent Tan.
According to him, Nasimuddin SM Amin, Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim, Mohd Haniff Abd Aziz and Azzuddin Ahmad could make between RM375 million and RM472 million from the 28,283 APs issued to them in 2005 alone if averaged at RM30,000 each.
"With each AP worth between RM20,000 and RM40,000 in the market, the Ministry of Trade and Industry had provided Nasimuddin the opportunity to make some RM375 million from the 12,524 APs," he said in a statement
He questioned the basis for issuing the large number of franchise and open APs to Nasimuddin. They were obtained via five companies - Naza Kia Sdn Bhd, Next Car Sdn Bhd, NZ Wheel (M) Sdn Bhd, Nasim Sdn Bhd and Naza-Brabus Sdn Bhd between year 1997 and 2004. Out of the 12,524 APs, Nasimuddin had 3,112 open APs approved in 1998.
Meanwhile, Syed Azman, Mohd Haniff and Azzuddin received 15,759 franchise APs through five companies - Weststar Motorsport Sdn Bhd, Atlantic Star Auto Sdn Bhd, Auto Pacific Star Sdn Bhd, Global World Trade Sdn Bhd and Territorial Star Sdn Bhd. PM commended
Lim also commended Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for releasing the list of AP holders, saying the country could be at a turning point 'to break from an opaque past of cronysim and corruption'.
Under the open AP, permit holders are allowed to import new and used cars from any sources. However, the issuance of these APs was terminated in1998.
Franchise APs are issued to companies which have exclusive agency agreements with foreign car manufacturers.
Yesterday, the list of 67,158 APs - issued as early as 1970 till this year - was released by the Prime Minister's office amidst the controversy surrounding the matter.
It was the first time ever that the names of AP recipients were made public despite statements by government leaders earlier that the policy of not revealing their names would remain.
The AP issue made newspaper headlines when former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the issuance of large numbers of these permits had led to unfair competition against the national car, Proton.
Mahathir had earlier claimed that out of the 67,000 APs issued last year, only 12,600 were given to 82 companies while the bulk of 54,000 APs were given to 20 companies. The cabinet told International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz to write a letter to reply the issues raised by Mahathir.
Launch investigation
In a related development, DAP Youth said releasing the list is not the end of the episode.
The wing queried if there were any elements of malpractice, corruption and wrong-doing in issuing the large huge number of APs to these individuals and companies.
It also called for the abolishment of the AP system since "it is a breeding ground for cronyism and the system has caused tax evasion amounting to RM1 billion every year."
Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice president Dr Syed Husin Ali called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
"The government has to do more. Let the Anti-Corruption Agency and Public Accounts Committee investigate. The police should also be allowed to investigate and not be restrained just because the minister is involved," he said when contacted later.
He also asked why the holders were given APs through various companies."Is there any hidden power related to certain companies?"
Other names on the APs list included Mokhzani Mahathir (the son of the former premier), Mohammadiah Moner, Ilyas Mohamed, Syed Hussain Syed Mohammed, Abdul Hamid Ibrahim, Mohd Nazmi Mohd Salleh, Tunku Datok Zainol Tengku Izham, Tunku Syed Amir Abidin and Dr Soh Thiam Hong.
Syed Azman (left) and Mohd Haniff (right) were given 1,280 permits to import Suzuki cars under Global World Trade Sdn Bhd and another 896 to import Audi cars under Territorial Star Sdn Bhd in this year. Nasimuddin imported Kia, Mercedes Benz, Peugeot, Ferrari, odena, Maserati, Rolls Royce, Bentley and Brabus cars.
Among other major recipients was 8,573 APs for Hyundai cars issued in 1997 to Hyumal Motor Sdn Bhd, owned by Berjaya Group Bhd, Sime Darby Bhd and Vincent Tan.
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