Transport Ministry fails to answer firms' lack of experience, PAS man says

Summary

• PAS member Nurul Islam Mohamed Yusoff says the Transport Ministry’s justifications for appointing three vehicle inspection companies did not explain how they met requirements.

• Nurul Islam points out that Road Transport Department guidelines say the companies must have relevant experience in the field, which the three companies do not seem to have.

A PAS member has pointed out that the Transport Ministry’s justifications on its appointment of three companies to do vehicle inspections did not answer questions raised over the matter.

Specifically, Nurul Islam Yusoff said that the ministry failed to explain how these three companies met the experience criteria.

Citing guidelines issued by the Road Transport Department (RTD) on April 16 last year, Nurul Islam said the document stated that companies applying to become vehicle inspectors must have expertise in related fields.

Further, the guideline stated that applicants must furnish documents showing records of relevant experience related to or akin to the project.

‘Don’t spin this’

Nurul Islam previously pointed out that two of the three companies selected - Pakatan Petroleum Sdn Bhd and Beriman Gold Sdn Bhd - were involved in business unrelated to automotive.

Pakatan Petroleum’s business is trading petroleum, gas, and related businesses, while Beriman Gold is involved in construction, telecommunication and multimedia, and security and IT systems.

The third company - Wawasan Bintang Sdn Bhd - listed inspection of motor vehicles as its business but is only eight months old.

“It is clear as day that these three companies contradict the guidelines issued by the Transport Ministry and RTD.

“Please don’t spin this (Transport Minister) Anthony Loke,” Nurul Islam said on Facebook last night.

He added that the ministry and Loke must provide a straight answer on why companies without experience were picked.

Further, he dared Loke to reveal the list of all 12 companies that applied for the vehicle inspection licence so that the people could make a comparison.

Companies’ age ‘not a concern’

Nurul Islam was responding to a Transport Ministry statement yesterday replying to questions about the three companies, which were selected after the ministry ended Puspakom’s monopoly on vehicle inspection.

The ministry had said that the age of companies was not a concern.

Instead, it emphasised that companies need to be financially stable and have enough rolling capital.

It stressed that the companies were chosen after meeting strict criteria, including having paid up capital of at least RM10 million throughout the service period, and a minimum of RM5 million in working capital per annum.

The companies must also ensure the provision of infrastructure, equipment, manpower, and other requirements within 24 months before the operating licence is issued.

Also required within that time is membership with the International Motor Vehicle Committee, and a standard compliance certificate from the Standards Department.

Licences would not be granted if those requirements are not met within the two years given.

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