KL Puspakom and JPJ centres to be redeveloped for over RM100mil

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the government has identified some companies as possibly having a monopolistic position in the market. The companies are Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas), Puspakom, Pharmaniaga Bhd and MyEG Services Bhd.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Puspakom and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) offices in Setapak here will be redeveloped under a privatisation project costing over RM100mil, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

"The plans involve the relocation of the Puspakom centre to a new site, and redevelopment of the JPJ office and (the building of its) first-ever quarters for its personnel in Kuala Lumpur," he said.

Loke said the Cabinet had given the green light for the plans and there will be an open tender for private developers, including DRB-Hicom, to submit their proposals between January and February next year.

He said plans to relocate Puspakom comes as there were numerous complains of traffic congestion due the presence of heavy vehicles at the current site.

He also noted the Puspakom centre is located next to Sekolah Pendidikan Khas Setapak and the Setapak Vocational College.

"Parents of students face traffic congestion every morning when rows of lorries line up for inspections.

"There are also teachers who have been late for their classes due to the traffic jam," he told reporters at a press conference after visiting the Puspakom centre here Friday (Dec 14).

Loke said under the plan, a new Puspakom centre would be built located on a 4.45ha site before demolishing the existing one.

"The site for the new Puspakom centre must be approved by the ministry, and must be built away from the city.

"The developers will also have to build a new JPJ office to replace the existing building as well as workers' quarters," he added.

As a short-term measure to ease traffic congestion in the area, he said that lorries weighing 20 tonnes and above, would have to do their inspections at the Puspakom centre in Shah Alam, starting Dec 24 this year.

Loke said the open tender for the land swap deal was necessary, as the government lacked the funds to redevelop the two plots of land, which are currently under-utilised.

The JPJ Wangsa Maju office was built 22 years ago and currently handles about 3,000 customers a day.