PUTRAJAYA: More than 10 companies have applied for vehicle inspection services licences as Puspakom’s three-decade monopoly comes to an end, says Anthony Loke (pic).
The Transport Minister said he hopes the new operators can begin work by the year-end.
“We have not finalised the number yet. There are more than 10 companies that have applied for the licence,” he told a press conference after launching the Road Transport Department’s (JPJ) new office here yesterday.
He said the new operators will also require time to build new facilities. The move, he said, will not only end Puspakom’s monopoly on vehicle inspection services but also make the market more competitive.
On integrity issues within Puspakom, Loke said the ministry is working with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to identify them within the agency. Also present at yesterday’s event was MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
JPJ said it was investigating Puspakom officers from the Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur branch, for alleged involvement in approving unsafe vehicles. The staff members were called up for an interview at the Putrajaya JPJ.
JPJ senior enforcement director Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan had said the matter would be referred to the MACC if there were suspicions of wrongdoing.
Loke said three officers have been called up and a report is being prepared, adding that more officers will be called up if further cases are detected.
“We will work with the MACC to identify integrity issues in Puspakom, and we will not hesitate to take strict action together with the MACC. We want to uncover not only the isolated cases. If there are syndicates offering illegal services.
“We are aware of the talk of cartels and runners in the market that would see to it that even those who are not eligible are given approvals,” he added.
He said surprise checks will be conducted at other Puspakom branches and vehicles.
Loke also acknowledged that there is a loophole in the law concerning companies that rent out accessories such as tyres to enable some vehicles to temporarily pass Puspakom inspections.
He likened it to the tinted glass issue, where errant operators would temporarily remove their tinted glass before reverting to it after they passed the inspections.
While the ministry has amended regulations for tinted glass, it is now working with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to determine the mechanism to identify whether the appropriate tyres are fitted to vehicles.
