With PUSPAKOM no longer being given exclusivity in mandatory vehicle inspections, the Transport Ministry has appointed 3 additional companies to carry out the same functions. The companies are Wawasan Bintang Sdn Bhd (serving the Port Klang, Gua Musang, and Mersing areas); Pakatan Petroleum Sdn Bhd (Rawang and Temerloh); and Beriman Gold Sdn Bhd (located in Kuching and Serian in Sarawak).
“This appointment aligns with the decision of the Cabinet meeting on March 17, 2023, which approved the opening of mandatory motor vehicle inspection services under the Road Transport Act 198 to other qualified companies,” said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
In selecting the companies, the ministry and Road Transport Department (JPJ) looked at financial stability, site feasibility, and alignment with the government’s designated service areas for mandatory inspections.
2 years to begin operations
The new companies have 2 years to commence operations and will get operational licences when they have satisfactorily met all the requirements, including obtaining approvals from relevant local authorities.
More companies will be appointed and applications can be submitted to the Transport Ministry between March 1 to June 30, 2025. Applicants who were not successful in the first phase can also apply again.
Improving service quality
Meanwhile, a statement from PUSPAKOM welcomes the entry of new companies to the vehicle inspection sector. While expecting competition which will be for the better, PUSPAKOM’s CEO, Mahmood Razak Bahman, said the company will continue to strive to improve the quality of service to all customers.
“This marks the beginning of a challenging but exciting era for PUSPAKOM,” he said. From a positive point of view, with the existence of these new operating companies, we can share responsibility in ensuring vehicle safety and be able to exchange opinions to improve the quality of vehicle inspections in Malaysia together.”
In a separate development, PUSPAKOM’s inspection centre in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur, will close down by June this year. The closure was planned for the end of 2026 but the Transport Ministry has asked for it to be done earlier in order for the JPJ to build new facilities on the 1.7-hectare site which has housed PUSPAKOM’s centre since 1995 and inspects up to 800 vehicles daily.
PUSPAKOM has been provided with a new site in Bukit Beruntung, Rawang, which will be operational by the end of 2026. In the meantime, adjustments will be made to the operating hours of other inspection centres in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Negri Sembilan to minimise the impact of the closure at Wangsa Maju which has been one of the busiest centres.
Click here to locate a PUSPAKOM branch near you.
