KUALA LUMPUR: Puspakom will be the next frontline body to be given a “wake-up jolt” and a “clean-up” following the launch of an integrity plan for the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
In conjunction with the launch, two new bodies, the JPJ Stakeholders’ Panel (SP) and the Puspakom Monitoring Board (PMB) were also formed yesterday.
Representatives from Non-Governmental Organisations, political parties and consumer associations received their appointments to sit on the panel and the board which will be overseen by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.
Some of the appointees include Fomca secretary-general Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah, Pan Malaysian Lorry Operators Association president Er Sui See and Automotive Association of Malaysia president Datuk Aishah Ahmad.
Ong said the panel and board would get together to monitor enforcement by JPJ and Puspakom as well as their effectiveness.
Good start: Ong signing a certificate to mark the launch of JPJ’s integrity plan in Kuala Lumpur Monday. With him is JPJ director-general Datuk Solah Mat Hassan (left). “It will be a good platform for feedback and to keep an eye on the quality of service,” he said at a press conference.
Ong said JPJ’s integrity plan was a serious initiative that would act on complaints immediately while reducing opportunities for corruption.
JPJ director-general Datuk Solah Mat Hassan said his department was in the midst of reviewing Puspakom procedures to speed up inspection times and that new standard operating procedures would be ready in two weeks.
“We will not compromise on the safety or comfort of passengers but there is a need to prioritise inspections on a want or need basis.”
Solah said it was necessary to ensure vehicles passed engine and brake tests but other tests such those that were cosmetic in nature were not as important.
“Right now there are more than 200 items that are checked and if the vehicle fails just one item, the vehicle would fail the test completely,” he said.
Solah said that for example if the passenger seat was torn on a lorry, it could be overlooked but not if the passenger seat was torn in a taxi or a bus.
Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Ashfar Ali said the move would definitely curb corruption and would have far-reaching effects.
“The operators will know that they don’t have to be at the mercy of Puspakom for small things like the paintwork not being perfect,” he said.
Source: StarBiz
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