SHAH ALAM — The government has yet to grant operating licences to three new companies to run motor vehicle inspection centre, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said in response to doubts raised about one of companies not having the required experience.
Loke said the companies have only been given conditional approval since last week, and they have two years to meet infrastructure requirements, Bernama reported him saying.
“I want to emphasise, no contract has been given. We do not pay a single cent to these companies. All this requires investment from them to purchase land and machines, build workshops and so on… there are no financial implications for the government.
“They are only given conditional approval. Once they have completed the necessary facilities, then the operating license will be issued,” he told reporters after the Exio Logistics Hub ground-breaking ceremony in Elmina here today.
The three companies – Wawasan Bintang Sdn Bhd, Pakatan Petroleum Sdn Bhd and Beriman Gold Sdn Bhd – were last week announced as new firms that will provide vehicle inspection services under the government’s plant o break the monopoly held by the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) through government concession since 1994.
Loke was responding to accusations of cronyism as the companies lacked experience in vehicle inspection services.
After last week’s announcement naming the three firms, claims appeared on social media platform X that one of the companies had only just been incorporated eight months ago, in June last year.
Loke today defended the decision to open the market to other firms to provide vehicle inspection services, questioning if Puspakom had experience when it was set up and given the concession to inspect vehicles for the Road Transport Department.
“Can you name me one company that has experience in vehicle inspections? There isn’t because it was a monopoly. Why is no one questioning how Puspakom was established back then without prior experience?” he also said, reported Free Malaysia Today.
Loke previously announced that Wawasan Bintang would operate in Port Klang, Selangor, Gua Musang in Kelantan and Mersing in Johor.
Pakatan Petroleum would operate in Rawang, Selangor and Temerloh, Pahang.
Beriman Gold would operate in Kuching and Serian in Sarawak.
Loke said the companies’ operating license to carry out vehicle inspections will only be granted once they fully comply with the regulatory requirements, have the necessary equipment and are ready to begin operations. – February 12, 2025