THE presence of Puspakom officers at its Padang Jawa inspection centre on Wednesday did not seem to deter touts from carrying out their operations.
Senior officers from Puspakom were seen making spot checks following StarMetro’s article on Wednesday, which reported that touts were in control at Puspakom centres in Cheras, Padang Jawa and Taman Alam Megah in Shah Alam.
A Starprobe team, acting on public tip-offs, discovered that syndicates were offering packages which included inspection and approval at the centres.
The touts employed by the syndicates were openly calling the shots and charged a minimum of RM50, depending on the type and condition of the vehicle.
StarMetro learnt that the Puspakom officers made random checks at the centres and got first-hand information from the vehicle owners.
A source said the officers also met with staff at the centres and issued strong warnings.
The source said the warning was very clear and it stressed that those nabbed for graft would be sacked with immediate effect.
“The management has given a stern warning and the staff are aware of the consequences of their actions,” he said.
Checks by Starprobe revealed that the syndicates showed no fear at being detected as they continued to serve their customers.
Touts were seen running the show as they went about carrying documents in their hands while carrying out their wheeling and dealing.
However, it is also learnt that the passing rate for vehicles that went through the syndicates were lower in the last two days compared with the past.
This could be due to the fact that both Puspakom and the Malysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) are investigating graft allegations involving the staff.
MACC director of investigations Datuk Mustafa Ali said a thorough investigation would be conducted.
