Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) chairperson Markiman Kobiran has been told to resign if he is not serious abut tackling the transport woes in Penang.

The demand was made by the Penang-based Citizens for Public Transport Coalition (Cepat).

Cepat member Dr Choong Sim Poey ( right ) said despite two revamps - including tighter conditions and regulations for bus operators as well as funding to purchase additional buses - the situation has only deteriorated.

In July, Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon reportedly said the state government was prepared to undertake the task of revamping the public transportation system in Penang if the CVLB is unable to do so.

Upping the ante, Choong said Markiman should just concede defeat and allow somebody else to tackle the job.

"The CVLB seems to be totally oblivious to the mess they have created," he said when met in Penang over the weekend.

Agreeing with him, Penang Watch coordinator Ong Boon Keong said bus drivers and operators were still openly flouting the regulations despite the CVLB Act 1987 providing for punishment of infringements with fines up to RM2,000 and maximum six months imprisonment or both.

"There's non-compliance of the rules on such a massive scale and they're getting away with it all," he noted.

Come to Penang

Ong ( left ) said that numerous attempts to meet Markiman have been in vain and it is unlikely that a meeting will take place this year.

Choong said despite being invited, CVLB chose not to be represented at two meetings arranged together with Dr Teng Hock Nan, the state exco in charge of local government, traffic management, communal relations and information.

According to him, Markiman added insult to injury when he told an interview on RTM 2 last month that Cepat members should come to the CVLB headquarters in Putrajaya to meet him on the issue.

"All our members feel affronted by his suggestion on national television after our numerous attempts to set up an appointment had received no response from his office," he said.

Cepat members are mostly lower-middle income earners who cannot afford to take a day's leave to meet with Markiman ( right ).

"We want him to come to Penang," Choong stressed.

Markiman could not be reached for comment as he is currently in Australia.