PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry is upgrading the MyJPJ mobile application to introduce new features next month, aiming to phase out public reliance on third-party electronic service agents.
Minister Anthony Loke revealed that transaction volumes on the app have been growing rapidly, aligning with the ministry’s long-term goal of enabling citizens to deal directly with the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
"Eventually, we hope that most of the people can use it directly with JPJ and do not have to go through any third party. This is our aim," he told a press conference here on Monday (Oct 5).
Loke explained that the government's ability to abruptly suspend MyEG Sdn Bhd and Zetrix AI Bhd today over a RM314mil revenue remittance failure was made possible by strategic anti-monopoly measures implemented since he took office in 2022.
Previously, MyEG held an absolute monopoly over the computerised driver theory test (KPP01).
Had the suspension occurred two years ago, it would have paralysed the nation's driver licensing pipeline, Loke noted.
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"If I didn't take steps two years ago to open up this sector to other driving institutes, today we wouldn't be able to suspend them because they were the only ones.
"If I suspended them, no one could take their theory tests. But because we opened up the market, today there are 85 driving institutes where people can take their tests directly. We are no longer dependent on just one company," Loke said.
Asked about the possibility of reinstating MyEG if it clears the outstanding dues, Loke stressed that discussing a resumption of services is premature and that full settlement remains a strict, non-negotiable precondition.
However, he indicated that any future relationship with commercial collection agents would require a fundamental restructuring of payment flows to eliminate the risk of missing funds.
"Even if they settle, of course, additional conditions will be imposed. Such as... they can still act as a platform, but the payment has to be directly credited into the government account," he said.
Despite the push towards full digitalisation via MyJPJ, Loke clarified that third-party collection agents are necessary for now because 20% of motorists still rely on them.
He pointed out the historical existence of these collection networks, established over 20 years ago during Malaysia's early transition toward electronic payments.
He added that the issue is entirely isolated to MyEG, which happens to be the country's largest agent by transaction volume and value.
"Other agents have no problems. They pay according to their obligations. I have made recent checks, and there are no arrears from any other agents, including Pos Malaysia," Loke said.
He noted that Pos Malaysia remains a critical lifeline, especially for rural populations who depend on physical post offices to renew their driver’s licence and road tax.
Loke emphasised that the ministry had repeatedly given MyEG opportunities to settle the backlog since May, but its persistent failure to meet these obligations forced the government to take today's drastic suspension measures.
