It was announced by the Malaysian government back in December last year that the Open Approved Permit (AP) policy is here to stay, but with various improvements to the system to be introduced in 2017. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has now detailed the new rule changes.
The new policy covers the rules and regulations plus the basic requirements needed for a company to be a legal Open AP holder. The application procedure, plus actions to those who go against the rules have also been detailed.
Among the requirements for a company be an Open AP holder are:
- A Sdn Bhd company with a 100% Bumiputera status. All company shares have to be owned by Bumiputeras. All company board members, along with key posts within the company have to be held by Bumiputeras. Current AP holders will have to reapply.
- Company to have a minimum of two years’ experience in the field of sales and distribution of automobiles (cars, bikes or commercial vehicles), which is still operational.
- Have access to a suitable office space or showroom.
- Have the capability of handling the financial requirements of an automobile import, distribution and sales business, and a minimum capital of RM1 million.
Applications for AP holder companies will be open from May 23 to June 21, 2016. Each application will be reviewed by an independent audit firm, according to MITI. The application process will be open again in the following years.
The objectives of the new Open AP policy include: to provide car buyers with more options at more competitive prices; to empower the Bumiputera economic agenda, giving equal opportunities to Bumiputera businesses to be involved in the automotive sector; to ensure the Open AP policy’s socio-economic contribution is not affected.
Refer to the document below for the full revised Open AP Policy in Malaysia.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Kronik
on 
Bangsa
on 
I am Malaysian
on 
Operation Manager
on 
Wawasan Bumi
on 
P1/P2 not involved
on 
Think Again
on 
Vincent
on 
john
on 
J
on 
MeToo
on 
Black Dog
on 
Restore your dignity
on 
Muzamir cheebailu
on 
WT Fuchhh
on 
Mr Fakta
on 
ali
on 
Jaded
on 
smarttess
on 
Datuk Shamsu
on 
Malaysia boy
on 
Sarjit Singh
on 
calcutta
on 
kzm (Member)
on 
Kantoi
on 
Fastwork
on 
Confuzed
on 
AP Teacher
on 
Serious
on 
Suggestion
on 
Batak
on 
Bigkev
on 
DPCraft
on 
john otak batu
on 
Bryan
on 
Daniel
on 
digidigi
on 
Justice League
on 
Rakyat
on 
dirtyriderella
on 
Bashfc
on 
Usos
on 
transformer
on 
sehn
on 
Sammy Loo
on 
Nosushi
on 
Luke
on 
Robcar
on 
Heng
on 
v8888
on 
nabill (Member)
on 
RealityCheck
on 
anon
on 
Skywalker
on 
Apa Permit
on 
rockybalboa
on 
Lok
on 
Malaysian Malaysia
on 
Rich
on 
abdullah
on 
I Believe In Equality
on 
Panjang
on 
Ae101
on 
isengard12
on 
LearntoRead
on 
TKhengong
on 
Question
on 
Angry Nation
on 
tricycle
on 
Wee fuk yew
on 
FIST (Member)
on 
Car lover
on 
think
on 
Obama
on 
db8
on 
markgoh
on 
matjava
on 
sv
on 
marklampir
on 
NPG
on 
ROC
on 
Fayenatics
on 
DB9
on 
TLLMCCB
on 
richard chu
on 
kopiokaokao
on 
Semi-Value (Member)
on 
truthbetold
on 
oh mak lu cina
on 
David
on 
Justin Lo
on 
cendol (Member)
on 
Tong Sampah
on 
zah
on 
Head Hunter
on 
Eddie
on 
FY
on 
kwtan
on 
Rationale
on 
Garfield
on 
seankor
on 
Ali Baba Bujang Lapok
on 
Boy
on 
AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments express frustration over the revised open AP policy in Malaysia, highlighting that it favors crony and bumi-owned companies, thus perpetuating racial discrimination and protecting existing monopolies like Proton. Many believe the policy remains racially biased, restricting opportunities for non-bumi importers and further enriching a small elite. Critics argue the system creates unfair competition, pushes up car prices, and hampers overall economic progress. Some comments emphasize that these measures are aimed at maintaining power for the ruling party and their cronies under the guise of Bumiputera empowerment, rather than genuinely benefiting consumers or the broader rakyat. Overall, sentiments are mostly negative, criticizing the policy as unjust, racist, and detrimental to fair business and national development.