The Government Must Say No!
By TAY TIAN YAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily
I came across a small news story two days ago. Malay Automobile Importers and Distributors of Malaysia (Pekema) requested the government to extend the Approved Permit (AP) system to the year of 2020. A short story was just that simple. But I got goose bumps after reading it.
If we are not forgetful, we should remember what AP is. It is a mechanism used to control the number of vehicles allowed to be imported into Malaysia. If you are having a good faculty of memory, you will remember the AP issue a few years ago that caused an uproar in the country.
Some people granted a hundred or a thousand of APs from the government every year and each AP could bring a profit of RM20 000 to RM30 000. In other words, those having a good relationship could earn millions of ringgit a year.
Such a get-rich-quick scheme has made somebody become the "king" of imported cars, while another takes helicopter ride to work and some became an automobile tycoon even they do not even have a shop.
Numerous APs involves a substantial amount of money. But it is impossible to benefit all. Perhaps because of the uneven distribution, the AP issue surfaced, causing the classical dispute between former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the then International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, as well as a financial black hole.
AP has become a hole that must be patched up. Thus, the 2005 National Automotive Policy announced that the AP system would be suspended on 31 Dec 2010.
It is definitely a mistake to allow a mistake to continue. However, Malaysians are having a lenient heart, they wish not to see these rich men to end their jolly lives too fast.
Therefore, they did not strongly oppose to the system. Instead, they just hope that such a super privilege would be eliminated after 2010.
Meanwhile, the government is also very sympathetic to these AP tycoons as it has been assisting them to participate in other areas of the automotive industry over the past few years.
However, where could you find an area that could bring you so much money without any effort required like the AP system? How would those turned rich because of the system join other areas?
Who will wish to become poor after they have got rich? It would be the best if they can stay in their paradises with the APs in their hands.
It is best ever if the AP system could last not only until 2020, but forever. This is the common wish for AP tycoons. Based on the past experience, the government would attach great importance to their views and feelings.
However, once the AP system is extended, why do we bother having a National Automotive Policy? How would the public think? How is the government going to convince the people? Where is the social justice?
The government needs not to think about it. It must directly say "NO!" so that Pekema would just give it up.
By TAY TIAN YAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily
I came across a small news story two days ago. Malay Automobile Importers and Distributors of Malaysia (Pekema) requested the government to extend the Approved Permit (AP) system to the year of 2020. A short story was just that simple. But I got goose bumps after reading it.
If we are not forgetful, we should remember what AP is. It is a mechanism used to control the number of vehicles allowed to be imported into Malaysia. If you are having a good faculty of memory, you will remember the AP issue a few years ago that caused an uproar in the country.
Some people granted a hundred or a thousand of APs from the government every year and each AP could bring a profit of RM20 000 to RM30 000. In other words, those having a good relationship could earn millions of ringgit a year.
Such a get-rich-quick scheme has made somebody become the "king" of imported cars, while another takes helicopter ride to work and some became an automobile tycoon even they do not even have a shop.
Numerous APs involves a substantial amount of money. But it is impossible to benefit all. Perhaps because of the uneven distribution, the AP issue surfaced, causing the classical dispute between former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the then International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, as well as a financial black hole.
AP has become a hole that must be patched up. Thus, the 2005 National Automotive Policy announced that the AP system would be suspended on 31 Dec 2010.
It is definitely a mistake to allow a mistake to continue. However, Malaysians are having a lenient heart, they wish not to see these rich men to end their jolly lives too fast.
Therefore, they did not strongly oppose to the system. Instead, they just hope that such a super privilege would be eliminated after 2010.
Meanwhile, the government is also very sympathetic to these AP tycoons as it has been assisting them to participate in other areas of the automotive industry over the past few years.
However, where could you find an area that could bring you so much money without any effort required like the AP system? How would those turned rich because of the system join other areas?
Who will wish to become poor after they have got rich? It would be the best if they can stay in their paradises with the APs in their hands.
It is best ever if the AP system could last not only until 2020, but forever. This is the common wish for AP tycoons. Based on the past experience, the government would attach great importance to their views and feelings.
However, once the AP system is extended, why do we bother having a National Automotive Policy? How would the public think? How is the government going to convince the people? Where is the social justice?
The government needs not to think about it. It must directly say "NO!" so that Pekema would just give it up.
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