Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Datuk Shahrir Samad is of the opinion that the Approved Permits system (which are used to control the import of CBU cars into Malaysia, amongst other things) should be abolished.
In a report in this week’s The Edge Weekly, Datuk Shahrir said despite the government saying Approved Permits are more of a formality rather than a control system, they can be a barrier and be open to abuse. The Approved Permits system has to be abolished to prevent a group of local companies from forming a cartel to keep prices high and hold back supplies.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
The comments largely support the idea of abolishing the AP system, viewing it as a monopolistic and corrupt practice benefiting a few at the expense of ordinary Malaysians. Many express frustration over high car prices driven by AP restrictions, corruption, and protectionism from major players like NAZA and Proton. Several commenters hope for transparency and free market conditions, anticipating that removing APs could lower vehicle costs and improve competition. However, some skepticism remains, with doubts about government sincerity and the likelihood of swift implementation, fearing alternative taxes or policies may replace APs. Overall, the sentiments are predominantly in favor of ending AP privileges to foster fairer car pricing and market openness, despite fears of ongoing governmental resistance and corruption.