Saturday February 18, 2006

Committee fully responsible for APs, says Pak Lah

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi clarified yesterday that a committee in the Prime Minister’s Department chaired by his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was fully responsible for considering and deciding on policies relating to Approved Permits (APs) for vehicles.

He said the committee was also responsible for resolving any problems arising from the implementation of policies related to APs.

This would also include problems that arise over the roles played by other agencies such as the Customs Department or the Transport Ministry, he said.

“The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) plays the secretariat role in the implementation of any policy or decision made by the committee,” Abdullah said.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz is a member of the committee, the Prime Minister said. Rafidah was reported to have said at a function in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday that she was still responsible for APs and that the committee would play a role only in the event of a problem.

In the Cabinet reshuffle announced on Tuesday, Rafidah was retained in her portfolio, with Abdullah saying that his decision was based on the fact that Rafidah’s expertise and services were still required.

APs became an issue last year when certain quarters raised questions on the manner in which they were issued by Miti. – Bernama