Dr M wants free APs for genuine motor traders

(Bernama) – Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said import permits (APs) for used cars should be given free of charge to genuine motor traders.

He said the motor traders should prove that they were truly carrying out automotive business and had their own outlet and showroom to display the cars.

He said this when asked to comment on the complaints by certain groups that the fee of RM10,000 charged for each unit of the AP was considered exorbitant.

He had earlier launched a subsidiary company of the Mutiara Motors group, M7 Racing Sdn Bhd, and officially opened the M7 Research and Development Centre at Bangunan Mutiara Motors Larkin, here today.

Dr Mahathir said the government had implemented the AP scheme to assist the Bumiputera traders to venture into the automotive industry in the country.

He said, however, there were certain groups who had obtained the AP free of charge but later sold them at about RM8,000 each for quick profits without carrying out any motor trading business, which forced the government to impose the charge on the APs.

He said action should be taken against those selling the APs for quick profits because they were abusing the opportunity given by the government to the Bumiputera.