Press Statement
by Lim Guan Eng

(Petaling Jaya, Tuesday): Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz’s return to work yesterday after recovering from her knee surgery does not resolve questions surrounding her credibility and integrity as Minister of International Trade & Industry following the abolition of franchise APs under the National Automotive Policy (NAP). In fact when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the abolition of franchise APs in the NAP on 19 October 2005, this was a severe slap in the face for Datuk Seri Rafidah.

Rafidah was the one who introduced franchise APs resulting in the creation of AP Kings where former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad revealed that 54,600 APs were given to only 20 “selected” companies whereas only 12,600 Approved Permits(APs) were distributed amongst to 82 companies. With her authority on APs curtailed and her policies reversed, Rafidah is essentially forced to focus on international trade matters, especially attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).

In other words Rafidah who is limping with a tongkat, is effectively a “crippled” Minister of International Trade & Industry with no authority over the NAP and with a limited portfolio of FDI. DAP questions how effective she can be when investors remember that her former Prime Minister had accused her of misleading him and felt cheated by Rafidah, when he was Prime Minister, into announcing Naza as a national and local car.  

These are very serious allegations that will garner wide international coverage as Mahathir being synonymous with Malaysia, is still an international newsmaker.  Which foreign investor would believe Rafidah on her investment mission overseas to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Malaysia when they remember news of Mahathir accusing her of cheating him?

FDI is one of the most important elements to ensuring economic growth for a country and prosperity for its people. China is a good example of how substantial inflows of FDI has transformed the country to an economic giant and world power, attracting US$ 60.63 billion in 2004. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Malaysia placed 7^th amongst Asian countries attracting US$4.6 billion in 2004 as shown below.

FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN ASIAN COUNTRIES IN 2004

DAP expresses concern that with the AP scandal hanging over her, Rafidah would be unable to function effectively resulting in a reduction of FDI and affecting the livelihood of ordinary Malaysians. No foreign investor would want to invest in a country where its Ministers dare to cheat and lie to their own Prime Minister.

The government has to quickly resolve this matter by issuing an ultimatum to Rafidah to either show proof to refute Mahathir’s allegations or else resign. Despite being given many opportunities, Rafidah has failed to do so and show proof that she is not only clean but seen to be clean.

The Prime Minister should advise Rafidah Aziz to delay her return to work but go on longer medical leave like Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Syed Razak Syed Zain, who is resting until January 16 2006, until the AP scandal is resolved. Rafidah will be doing the country a great service by staying away and not turning up to work as the architect of a failed and shameful policy of granting franchise APs that created multi-millionaire AP Kings.

(25/10/2005)