PUTRAJAYA, January 9 — Over 10 companies have submitted applications to conduct vehicle inspections nationwide, marking the potential end of Puspakom’s 30-year monopoly on the service, Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook announced. The ministry is currently reviewing the applications and aims to introduce new operators by the end of the year.
Loke emphasized that while the exact number of new licensees would be revealed later, the move would offer motorists more options for vehicle inspections as the industry opens up once Puspakom’s concession expires on August 31, 2024. In addition, Loke confirmed that three Puspakom officers are under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for allegedly approving unsafe vehicles during inspections.
He also addressed concerns about syndicates that rent car accessories, such as tinted windows, to help vehicles temporarily pass inspections. Loke stated that the government is considering legal amendments to close this loophole, as current laws do not address the rental of such accessories, which pose a threat to road safety.
