Puspakom’s three-decade monopoly on vehicle inspection has come to an end as more than 10 companies have applied for vehicle inspection licences to become their direct competitors, reported The Star.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke says that the final number of approved operators have not been finalized yet, but hopes that the new operators can begin operations by the end of 2025.
“There are about more than ten companies who have applied for the licence, but the actual number of companies that are given the licence will be announced later,” he said, adding that the new operators would need time to build new facilities.
The Malaysian Ministry of Transport (MOT) is currently reviewing the applications, and new operators are to be announced at the end of 2025.
Announced in late-March 2023 by the MOT, starting September 1, 2024, Puspakom will no longer be the only company to provide periodic motor vehicle inspections. Loke said that this initiative is in line to foster a more competitive service environment to benefit all Malaysians.
Puspakom’s concession agreement had ended on August 31, 2024. The cabinet agreed that the concession is to be extended for 15 more years starting September 1, 2024, but not its monopoly.
In related news, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) had conducted a surprise spot check last year on December 30, 2024 at Wangsa Maju Puspakom to ensure that inspected vehicles are according to prescribed standards, also reported by The Star. This comes following reports of vehicles utilising “rental” services to bypass inspection standards.
An approved vehicle not meeting safety standards was discovered. JPJ senior enforcement director Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said that during the two-hour inspection, 115 lorries were inspected, 69 summonses were issued and 29 had action taken.
The MOT is determining if syndicates are involved in offering unauthorised services in approving vehicles that do not pass inspections, says Loke. The minister adds that the MOT will cooperate with the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to identify issues pertaining to integrity within Puspakom and will not hesitate to take stringent action together with the MACC.
Additionally, Loke also states that the ministry wants to uncover not only isolated cases but what is more important is whether there are syndicates offering illegal services. As he also raises the issue of loopholes in the law where companies rent out brand-new accessories such as tyres to be used to pass Puspakom inspections.
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