A PROMINENT opposition backer wants Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook to justify how recently established companies with no motoring industry experience or proven financial stability can be appointed to implement motor vehicle inspection services, thus breaking PUSPAKOM’s monopoly in this field.
This follows last Friday’s (Feb 7) appointment of three new companies to provide inspection services and operate a motor vehicle inspection centre under the first phase in tandem with the Cabinet decision on March 17, 2023 to open up the mandatory motor vehicle inspection services to other qualified companies.
According to Loke, the companies were selected based on several important criteria, including a strong financial position with a minimum paid-up capital of RM10 mil and possessing a private limited company status with local ownership.
“How can the Transport Ministry (MOT) appoint a new company with no relevant experience to carry out the vehicle inspection process whereby the lives and safety of road users are at stake?” research and policy department director in the Central PAS Information Committee Nurul Islam Mohamed Yusoff hit out on his Facebook page.
“How can an eight-month-old company be given three locations compared to other companies that are given two locations each?”
The former PAS Ampang candidate during the 2018 national polls who is now an active political influencer further shared ‘dubious’ findings from his Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) searches on the three companies to back his claims.
(1) Wawasan Bintang Sdn Bhd (operate in Port Klang, Gua Musang and Mersing)
This eight-month company was established on June 13, 2024 while Loke announced that the invitation process for interested parties would be opened no later than 1Q 2024.
How then can a company established in 2Q 2024 participate in the invitation process made in 1Q 2024?
Ticking off the Madani government “for indulging in magic shows”, Nurul Islam questioned how can a company which has only been around for eight months able to submit a financial statement and audit report.
“How then can Loke verify that it has strong financial status?” he wondered. “Although itts nature of business stated in the SSM document is ‘to carry out the business of providing services in inspection of motor vehicles’, my search did not find any experience of this company in the automotive field.”
(2) Pakatan Petroleum Sdn Bhd (operate in Rawang and Temerloh)
The company established on June 24, 1987 stated its nature of business as “trading petroleum, gas and related business” with further searches by Nurul Islam failed to yield any exposure to the automotive field.
(3) Beriman Gold Sdn Bhd (operate in Kuching and Serian)
Founded on Feb 21, 2014, the company has a nature of business outside the automotive field, namely construction, telecommunications and IT (information technology). “My search results (also) failed to find any experience of this company in the automotive sphere,” added Nurul Islam.
“Before the Madani government backers harp on the issue of monopoly, let me state that I agree with the MOT in wanting to eliminate monopoly. But what I question is the background of the chosen companies,” asserted the former Malaysian Rubber Council CEO.
“Therefore, it would be good that Loke clarifies the confusion that arises from his announcement.” – Feb 10, 2025
