Only conditional approval given to vehicle inspection firms - Loke

Summary

• Transport minister clarifies that the 3 appointed vehicle inspection firms only have conditional approval.

• They must fulfil all criteria in 24 months to obtain an operating licence, Anthony Loke explains.

• He defends Wawasan Bintang’s appointment, saying that it is a special purpose vehicle with RM20m paid-up capital.

PARLIAMENT | The three companies appointed to carry out vehicle inspections have only received conditional approval, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

Responding to a question from Khairil Nizam Khirudin (PN-Jerantut), Loke said the companies must fulfil all criteria before an operating licence can be given to them.

"The offer letters to the three companies chosen on Feb 7 is a conditional approval that requires the company to ensure the provision of infrastructure, equipment, manpower and other requirements within 24 months before the operating licence is issued.

"If the company fails to meet the requirements within the specified period, the operating licence will not be granted," he told the Dewan Rakyat today.

On Feb 7, Loke announced the appointment of the three companies, saying that unsuccessful applicants failed to meet strict criteria, including avoiding conflicts of interest in vehicle repair, trading, or modification services.

This resulted in PAS member Nurul Islam Mohammed Yusoff questioning the Transport Ministry’s decision on Feb 10 to choose Pakatan Petroleum Sdn Bhd, Beriman Gold Sdn Bhd and Wawasan Bintang Sdn Bhd to conduct vehicle inspections.

In response, Loke justified it by saying there were no local companies with experience in vehicle inspection as Puspakom had previously monopolised the industry.

Nurul Islam rebutted citing Transport Department and Road Transport Department guidelines, saying that companies such as Carsome and Scrut Malaysia were more qualified.

Loke defends ‘young’ firm

In Parliament today, Loke lasered in on criticism that one of the companies - Wawasan Bintang - was only eight months old and had no public track record.

The minister asserted that the company was a special purpose vehicle with RM20 million in paid-up capital, established for the vehicle inspection request.

"And it has other businesses. It is not a new company or a RM2 company," he added.

Further, Loke said it was bumiputera-owned, with all three of its directors being bumiputera.

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