PUTRAJAYA: Two companies have applied to become qualified vehicle inspection service providers, joining an industry that Puspakom had a monopoly for 30 years.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said Puspakom's concession would officially lapse this Saturday, marking an end to their services as an exclusive provider for scheduled vehicle inspections for the Road Transport Department (RTD).
He said almost 50 companies looking to provide this service had attended a briefing on the application process.
"Two companies have officially applied, but there is still time until October for other companies to do so.
"We have given the first licence to Puspakom for them to continue their operations, but we are also opening it up for other players in the industry.
"The ministry has listed out conditions for the licence, including having suitable land, technical abilities, machinery and equipment, the same conditions set to Puspakom to make it fair and square," he said in a press conference today (Monday).
Loke said under Section 126(1) of the Road Transport Act, Puspakom and other qualified companies were now authorised to provide vehicle inspection services.
"Any company that has passed the evaluation will be issued a licence, just as we have granted a licence to Puspakom today."
He added that the first phase of applications would end on Oct 31.
"We will see how many companies apply. If there is a need to reopen applications, we will," he said.
The cabinet decided to end Puspakom's monopoly on vehicle inspection services on March 17, to promote a competitive industry.
On March 26, Loke said the ministry and the RTD would grant interim approval to qualified parties, allowing up to 24 months for preparation and development.
He had stressed that all licence holders must provide services as stipulated under the licence conditions and comply with other requirements issued throughout the effective licence period.