PUTRAJAYA should abolish all approved permits (AP) to provide a level playing field, said Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng.

He said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s decision to abolish AP licences for food imports should be extended to other imported items, including motor vehicles.

“The AP removal for food, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, is timely as it will bring down increasing food prices.

“But why abolish AP for only food?

“The government should remove all AP, especially for motor vehicles, as this will reduce red tape, which creates an opportunity for corruption and results in an uptick in cost of imported goods.”

Ismail Sabri yesterday said the government has agreed to not impose AP requirement on food imports with immediate effect.

The move was made during a cabinet meeting and to ensure sufficient food supply in Malaysia.

Lim said AP holders have been enjoying their special privileges for far too long.

Instead of benefitting the people, the policy benefits and enriches well-connected individuals at the expense of consumers, he added.

“Introducing competition in the open market will help drive down the cost of imported goods.

“At the same time, local entrepreneurs will be in a better position to develop their global competitiveness and become key players in the international market.”

Lim said if the government is serious about helping the industry grow and the country tide over the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, local manufacturers must be given special incentives to innovate and upgrade their technology and production facilities so they are on a par with their global counterparts.

If this is not done, removing AP for imported food alone will not be sufficient in combating inflation, he added. – May 19, 2022.