The Approved Permits (AP) controversy showed that there is a 'big leak' in the system which must be fixed, said Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

However, he said by releasing the list of AP holders, the government proved that it is being transparent in the matter.

"Party president (and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) has long spoken about this 'leak' so we have to face reality.

"If this is what it is, if this is reality then we have to show the 'leak' that happened," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

"If the AP holder does not have a showroom, does not sell cars but sells the AP in the market (secondary market), this is a big 'leak' and we need to find a remedy," he added

On Monday, the Prime Minister's Department released the list of 67,158 APs - issued as early as 1970 till this year.

The issue came about when former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad said issuing the permits in large numbers had led to unfair competition against the national car, Proton.

Mahathir, who now Proton's adviser, also queried how certain individuals acquired thousands of permits.

According to the list , Nasimuddin SM Amin, Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim, Mohd Haniff Abd Aziz and Azzuddin Ahmad were issued a total of 28,283 permits for this year alone.

Topping the list was Nasimuddin with 12,524 APs.

Revive NEP

In another development, Umno Youth wants the New Economic Policy (NEP) revived as part of the National Development Policy, in a move which is aimed at protecting the national interest of the Malays.

Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein said the 'Growth by Distribution' strategy, as outlined by the NEP, should be pursued to ensure the 30 percent bumiputera share of corporate stock ownership be maintained.

"The NEP definition itself should be reapplied as part of the national development policy so that the Malays would be empowered and not sidelined from now till the year 2020," he said

Hishammuddin said the Umno Youth raised the NEP issue once again after its earlier proposal at the last general assembly did not make any headway.

"We regret that within that time (a year), we have not seen any willingness to implement the agenda," he added.

The NEP was first introduced as the national policy in 1970 to raise bumiputera equity to at least 30 percent in the national economy, and the NEP has since been replaced by the National Development Policy.

The NEP however did not achieve its target as Malay bumiputera equity was only about 18 percent.