Transport Operators Want Changes And improvements

Following the government's decision to open up the vehicle inspection sector to more parties, transportation operators have suggested that the government build more inspection centers that are also more accessible, as well as upgrade the entire system. On Friday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that, beginning next year, Puspakom will no longer have a monopoly on conducting periodic inspections on commercial motor vehicles in the country.

President of the Peninsular Malaysia Tour Bus Operators' Association, Steven Chong, proposed that the authorities allow inspection centers to provide different services for large and private vehicles.

"Lorries and buses should be separated from car inspection service to avoid congestion," he said, adding that larger vehicles require more service time. Chong also suggested that the government establish more vehicle inspection stations to reduce wait times, especially during the holiday season. "Tour bus operators must wait three to four hours, which adds up to a full day," he explained. Amali Munif Rahmat, president of the Federation of School Bus Associations Malaysia, stated that the Road Transport Department should also implement more stringent monitoring when approving more parties for vehicle inspection.

"We suggested ten years ago that the government open up more vehicle inspection centers to allow free competition in the market and more options for operators," he said, adding that the government should ensure that when approving new parties for the sector, they provide more advanced vehicle inspection devices. Arif Asyraf Ali, president of the Grab Drivers Malaysia Association, agreed that the vehicle inspection system's equipment needed to be upgraded to improve service quality. "New competitors should be willing to invest in new vehicle inspection equipment technology." "Some vehicle inspection instruments are over ten to fifteen years old," he added, "and we need more accurate instruments." Arif also hopes that more vehicle inspection centers can be established in outlying areas so that Selangor drivers do not have to travel to Petaling Jaya for inspection services, but can get them in places like Tanjung Karang or Sabak Bernam. "Our sole appeal is to reduce the amount of time spent in lines and traffic," he added.

Loke stated that the Cabinet has decided to open up vehicle inspection services to other companies, despite the fact that the Cabinet has extended Puspakom's concession for another 15 years, beginning September 1, 2024.

This wholly-owned subsidiary of DRB-Hicom Bhd, founded in 1994, is Malaysia's first and only comprehensive national vehicle inspection company, performing all mandatory inspections for both commercial and private vehicles. On the same day, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that the government is reviewing all monopolies to ensure that the public receives fair and improved service.

"The principle of transparent economic development justifies us making changes," he told Bernama.