More options soon: An officer inspecting a vehicle at the Puspakom centre in Kuala Lumpur in this file pic. The Cabinet has decided that the services will be opened to all parties who meet the conditions. — GLENN GUAN/The Star
PUTRAJAYA: Puspakom’s monopoly on commercial vehicle inspection services will come to an end next year when its current concession expires on Aug 31.
The Cabinet has decided that the services will instead be opened to all parties who meet the conditions, says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said those interested in providing the services would be invited to send applications in the first quarter of next year.
However, Puspakom will still continue to offer the services as its contract has been extended for 15 years from Sept 1, 2024.
“From Sept 1, 2024, Puspakom will no longer be the sole provider of vehicle inspection services on behalf of the Road Transport Department (JPJ),” Loke said at a press conference yesterday.
“This decision is in line with the government’s desire to create a competitive service environment and facilitate all Malaysians.”
Those interested in offering the services will be required to appoint employees who meet the qualification requirements and provide and use computerised inspection equipment regulated and approved by JPJ.
They are only allowed to charge the set inspection fee and are not permitted to provide repair services, modify vehicles or sell spare parts.
He said those interested would bear the full cost, and that the government would not subsidise an inspection system.
“We won’t spend money building their system,” he said.
Puspakom is Malaysia’s first and only comprehensive national vehicle inspection company which undertakes all mandatory inspections for both commercial and private vehicles.
Incorporated in 1994, it is a wholly owned subsidiary of DRB-Hicom Bhd.
Loke stated that the single service provider issue, as well as the lengthy inspection wait time, had been raised for many years.
“Large vehicles, lorries and buses are held up for hours. There have been complaints that some states only have one service centre.
“We are not closing Puspakom but opening up another option. It is no longer exclusive, and there is no more monopoly,” he added.
Puspakom was also tasked with improving the quality and integrity of inspections by adding automation elements.
It must also improve the booking process, install CCTV systems at checkpoints for real-time control, expand the scope of vehicle inspection and build new inspection centres, including “flagship centres”.
According to its website, the country has 54 Puspakom centres.
