PETALING JAYA: Transport industry players are calling for strict safety oversight, reasonable pricing and improved services from the soon-to-be-appointed computerised motor vehicle inspection operators.
In welcoming the move, Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Ashfar Ali said the removal of the monopoly by the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) meant that there would be more competition to provide better pricing and higher service levels.
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He said the introduction of new players was in line with the Competition Act to open up the industry.
Ashfar said new players would increase the number of inspection outlets and reduce bottlenecks.
“Lately, we have seen a lot of congestion under the present system due to an increased number of vehicles. I hope that this will cut down waiting periods,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Ashfar also said there should be a strict safety oversight on the procedures and the equipment used by the different vehicle inspection centres.
“The Transport Ministry should monitor the type of services they are providing.
“We do not want any shortcutting, corruption or wrongdoings involved in the issuance of safety inspection certification,” he said.
Gabungan Teksi SeMalaysia (GTSM) president Kamarudin Mohd Hussain praised the move to end the monopoly, saying that more vehicle owners, especially those with commercial vehicles, would get better access to inspection services.
“At the same time, we do not wish to disregard all the contribution made by Puspakom and we believe that the new operators will offer improved services at fairer pricing.
“I also hope that beyond vehicle inspection, these companies will provide more comfort and convenience to vehicle owners while they wait for their inspection results,” he added.
Malaysia Tipper Lorry Operators Association secretary-general Tan Boon Hing remains cautious over the news, saying that he wants to observe the operations of the new centres first.
“We shall wait for them to operate first. We want to know how they conduct their inspections,” he said.
Tan urged the relevant authorities to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure the highest inspection and safety standards.
Gabungan eHailing Malaysia (GEM) chief activist Jose Rizal said more inspection centres would mean shorter queues and reduced waiting times, especially in urban areas.
He said the shorter waiting times would be beneficial to many e-hailing and p-hailing drivers as they could return to work quickly.
He quipped that drivers might enjoy lower inspection fees if the government allowed price competition.
Jose also proposed the setting up of dedicated fast-track inspection lanes, mobile inspection units and flexible operating hours to help minimise disruption to drivers’ income.
