GOVT TO MAKE COMPREHENSIVE DECISION ON AP ISSUANCE

JOHOR BAHARU (Malaysia), April 27 (Bernama) -- The Government is to make a
comprehensive decision on Approved Permit (AP) issuance, Deputy Minister of
International Trade and Industry Mukhriz Mahathir said Sunday.

The approach would include doing away with the current policy of issuing APs
or imposing levy or tax on AP holders, he said.

"Whatever it is, the basis is that if it's going to be levy or tax, the
government should benefit not certain AP holders," he told reporters on the
sidelines of the ongoing Malaysia Unit Trust Week 2009 in this southern city.

Mukhriz said the ministry would come up with a solution that would be
amenable to all.

"The AP issue is high on the ministry's agenda of deliberations to come up
with a new mechanism. As you can see, the AP issue is quite a contentious one.

"Give us a bit more time before the minister makes a final decision. With
the Cabinet approval, he will make the announcement," he added when asked on the
demand by certain parties for AP to be opened to all.
-- BERNAMA