Published by: THE MALAYSIAN RESERVE
Hidayath Hisham
PUTRAJAYA (18 February 2025) — The government urges bus and lorry operators to avoid using third-party runners for vehicle inspections, warning that such intermediaries often exploit the system and lead to integrity issues at inspection centres.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said vehicle owners should deal directly with Puspakom Sdn Bhd to ensure transparency in the inspection process.
“Do not use runners to carry out inspections. They are the ones taking money,” he said in response to a question from Datuk Willie Mongin (Gabungan Party Sarawak-Puncak Borneo) in Parliament today.
Mongin had raised concerns about reports from vehicle operators alleging that certain runners colluded with Puspakom officers to manipulate inspection outcomes, allowing vehicles to pass when they should not qualify.
Loke assured that the government is actively monitoring Puspakom’s operations and has taken measures to curb corruption and malpractice.
“If there are integrity issues in Puspakom, they will not be tolerated. We are currently conducting various operations.
“There are even undercover operations by Road Transport Department officers who go into Puspakom to observe what is happening, whether things are done properly or not,” he added.
He also mentioned cases where vehicle owners manipulate inspections by temporarily installing roadworthy tyres to pass checks, only to swap them out afterwards.
“The tyres are fine when they enter the inspection centre, but as soon as they leave, they switch them back to unfit tyres,” he said, adding that action against such practices requires coordination with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living.
Loke reiterated that vehicle inspections are crucial for road safety and should not be compromised.
He said the government is working towards breaking the current monopoly in the vehicle inspection industry, allowing more players to improve service quality and ensure fairer processes.
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