Loke: Puspakom no longer only option for vehicle ownership checks, four new companies appointed
Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the appointment of the four companies to implement the MV15 inspection is one of MOT's efforts to increase the supply of vehicle ownership inspection services in the market.
He said the initiative would also make it easier for the public to obtain vehicle ownership inspection services without having to crowd at the existing PPKM which also conducts periodic inspections of heavy vehicles.
'Previously, any vehicle owner who wants to sell car, or buy a used car, must send the vehicle for verification before the transfer of ownership is allowed.
'Now they only have one option, which is to go to the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom), so by opening a new market, it will further facilitate the process of transferring vehicle ownership because the public can go to any company premises that offers this service,' he said in a press conference here today.
According to Loke, the appointment of the four companies was made in accordance with the decision of the Cabinet Meeting on March 17, 2023 which had agreed to open motor vehicle inspection services required under the Road Transport Act 1987 [Act 333] to other qualified companies.
The four companies appointed are Carro Technology Sdn Bhd; Carsome Academy Sdn Bhd; Wawasan Bintang Sdn Bhd; and Beriman Gold Sdn Bhd.
Loke said all the companies were given 12 months to make preparations based on the conditions set out in the Guidelines for Granting PPKM Licences MV15.
'During this period, JPJ will carry out continuous monitoring and the Operating Licence will only be granted after the company concerned meets all regulatory requirements and equipment requirements and is ready to commence operations,' he said.
Among the main conditions are the company's strong capabilities with a minimum paid-up capital of RM1 million, Sdn Bhd status and local ownership; and submit a location proposal for consideration subject to approval by MOT or Road Transport Department (JPJ).
In addition, the company also needs to provide infrastructure that includes the development of premises, the acquisition of inspection equipment, integration with the MySikap system and the requirements to obtain approval from relevant authorities; and ensure that Motor Vehicle Inspectors receive competency accreditation by JPJ before they can commence work.
'Since some of the companies offered also carry out other activities such as buying and selling used vehicles, the company is required to provide an inspection room or lane as well as special staff for the purpose of operating PPKM MV15 is subject to the ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Conformity Assessment Requirements for the Operation of Various Types of Bodies Performing Inspection standard,' he said.
Loke said the opening of more PPKMs is aimed at increasing healthy competition and ensuring better quality vehicle inspections for the safety of road users.
'The expansion of PPKMs is also in line with the current Vehicle Inspection Service policy, where the government has shifted from a single-player concession system to a multi-player licensing system,' he said.
Loke meanwhile said that in the future, the ministry will see if there is a need to make it mandatory for motorcycles to be inspected before ownership changes are allowed.
'Right now, we do not make it mandatory for motorcycles to be inspected before ownership changes, but after we have these better facilities, we will also see if there is a need for motorcycles to also need to be verified before the ownership change is implemented,' he said. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Behind China's solid Q2 growth: Workers face wage cuts, late pay, and second jobs
China's economy posts supply-driven 5.2pc growth in Q2 Chinese exports show resilience to US tariffs But other indicators point to rising vulnerabilities Pressure on jobs and incomes grows, payment delays soar BEIJING, July 16 — Chinese state firm employee Zhang Jinming makes up for a 24 per centcut to his salary by delivering food for three hours every night after work and on weekends — and hopes he can avoid awkward encounters with colleagues. 'Being a part-time delivery person while working for a state-owned enterprise isn't exactly considered respectable,' said Zhang, whose real estate firm pays him 4,200 yuan (RM2,486) per month, down from 5,500 yuan. While China has supported economic growth by keeping its ports and factories humming, the lack of real demand has hit profits, in turn squeezing workers like Zhang through wage cuts and forcing them to moonlight. 'There's just no other way,' added the 30-year-old, who rides his scooter until 11.30pm, making 60-70 yuan per evening. 'The pay cut has put me under huge pressure. Many colleagues have resigned and I took over their workload.' China's economy posted robust 5.2 per cent growth in the second quarter, showing its export-heavy model has so far withstood US tariffs. But beneath the headline resilience, cracks are widening. Contract and bill payment delays are rising, including among export champions like the autos and electronics industries and at utilities, whose owners, indebted local governments, have to run a tight shop while shoring up tariff-hit factories. Ferocious competition for a slice of external demand, hit by global trade tensions, is crimping industrial profits, fuelling factory-gate deflation even as export volumes climb. Workers bear the brunt of companies cutting costs. Falling profits and wages shrank tax revenues, pressuring state employers like Zhang's to cut costs as well. In pockets of the financial system, non-performing loans are surging as authorities push banks to lend more. For the most part, the lopsided nature of growth in the world's second-largest economy is a product of policies that favour exporters over consumers. Economists have long urged Beijing to redirect support to domestically focused sectors, such as education and healthcare, or boost household consumption - for instance, by bolstering welfare - or risk a slowdown in the second half of the year. Max Zenglein, Asia-Pacific senior economist at the Conference Board of Asia, describes China as a 'dual-speed economy' with strong industry and weak consumption, noting the two are related. 'Some of the economic challenges including low profitability and deflationary pressure are largely driven by continued capacity expansion in the manufacturing and technology sectors,' said Zenglein. 'What's unfolding now' in the trade war with the US is 'coming back home as a domestic issue'. Hit to incomes Frank Huang, a 28-year-old teacher in Chongzuo, a city of more than 2 million people near the Vietnam border, in the indebted Guangxi region, says his school has not paid him in two-to-three months, waiting for authorities to provide the funds. 'I can only endure, I don't dare to quit,' said Huang, who relies on parents when his 5,000 yuan paycheck doesn't arrive. 'If I were married with a mortgage, car loan and child, the pressure would be unimaginable.' Another teacher from Linquan, a rural county of 1.5 million in eastern China, said she is only receiving her basic 3,000 yuan monthly salary. The performance-based part of her pay, usually about 16 per cent, 'has been consistently delayed'. 'After I pay for gas, parking and property management fees, what's left isn't enough for groceries,' said the teacher, who only gave her surname Yun for privacy reasons. 'I feel like begging,' added Yun. 'If it weren't for my parents, I would starve.' There is no data on payment delays in the government sector. But among industrial firms, arrears have grown quickly in sectors with a strong state presence, either through industrial policy or — like in utilities — through direct ownership. Arrears in the computer, communication and electronic equipment sector and in autos manufacturing — two priorities for China's economic planners — rose by 16.6 per cent and 11.2 per cent, respectively, in the year through May, faster than the 9 per cent average across industries. Overdue payments were up 17.1 per cent and 11.1 per cent in the water and gas sectors. These figures suggest liquidity stress and are a side-effect of authorities prioritising output over demand, said Minxiong Liao, senior economist at GlobalData Lombard APAC. 'The result should be slower growth for these champion sectors,' in the future, he said. Spending deferred With incomes under pressure, Beijing is struggling to meet its pledge to lift household consumption and worries are growing that persistent deflation will further damage the economy as consumers defer spending. Huang Tingting quit her waitress job last month after business at her restaurant — and most shops nearby — plummeted in April, at the height of US-China trade tensions. Responding to plunging revenues, the restaurant owner asked staff to take four unpaid leave days every month. 'I still have to pay rent and live my life,' said the 20-year-old from the eastern Jiangsu province, an export powerhouse that's outpacing national growth, explaining why she quit. In the past, though, she could find another restaurant job in a day or two. This time, she's been unemployed since June. One recruiter told her a job she applied for had more than 10 other candidates. 'The job market this year is worse than last year,' said Huang. — Reuters
BusinessToday
4 hours ago
- BusinessToday
MOT Appoints Four Firms Including Carsome To Expand Vehicle Ownership Inspection Services
The Transport Ministry (MOT) has appointed four companies to provide Change of Ownership Inspection services for private vehicles, a move aimed at easing congestion and improving access to motor vehicle inspection centres. Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the initiative is part of the government's effort to liberalise the Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre segment, which was previously monopolised by Puspakom. 'This will offer the public more convenient options for ownership transfer inspections without crowding existing centres that also handle heavy vehicles,' Loke said. The newly appointed firms, Carro Technology Sdn Bhd, Carsome Academy Sdn Bhd, Wawasan Bintang Sdn Bhd and Beriman Gold Sdn Bhd, have been granted 12 months to fulfil all regulatory and technical requirements before receiving their licenses to operate. The companies must meet stringent criteria, including a minimum RM1 million paid-up capital, local ownership, infrastructure readiness, integration with the MySIKAP system and ISO/IEC 17020:2012 compliance. All inspection personnel must also be accredited by the Road Transport Department. Loke emphasised that the shift from a single-player concession to a multi-license model will foster healthy competition, enhance service quality and support future policy expansions. Related
BusinessToday
4 hours ago
- BusinessToday
China Grants 90-Day Visa-Free Access To Malaysians For Short-Term Visits
Malaysians will enjoy visa-free entry into China for short-term visits totalling up to 90 days within 180 days, effective July 17, under a new bilateral agreement. According to a statement from the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, the Malaysia-China Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement allows Malaysian and Chinese passport holders to enter, exit or transit through each other's countries without a visa for stays of up to 30 days per visit. The visa-free arrangement covers purposes including tourism, family visits, business, cultural exchange, personal matters, medical treatment and travel as a crew member. However, the cumulative duration of stay must not exceed 90 days within any 180 days, the embassy noted. Travellers intending to stay longer than 30 days or those planning to work, study, engage in media activities or undertake other pre-approved matters must apply for the appropriate visa before entry. Related
