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Malay Mail
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Loke: Puspakom no longer only option for vehicle ownership checks, four new companies appointed
PUTRAJAYA, July 16 — The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has appointed four companies to implement Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre (PPKM) services with a specific function for the Change of Ownership Inspection (MV15) for private vehicles. Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the appointment of the four companies to implement the MV15 inspection is one of MOT's efforts to increase the supply of vehicle ownership inspection services in the market. He said the initiative would also make it easier for the public to obtain vehicle ownership inspection services without having to crowd at the existing PPKM which also conducts periodic inspections of heavy vehicles. 'Previously, any vehicle owner who wants to sell car, or buy a used car, must send the vehicle for verification before the transfer of ownership is allowed. 'Now they only have one option, which is to go to the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom), so by opening a new market, it will further facilitate the process of transferring vehicle ownership because the public can go to any company premises that offers this service,' he said in a press conference here today. According to Loke, the appointment of the four companies was made in accordance with the decision of the Cabinet Meeting on March 17, 2023 which had agreed to open motor vehicle inspection services required under the Road Transport Act 1987 [Act 333] to other qualified companies. The four companies appointed are Carro Technology Sdn Bhd; Carsome Academy Sdn Bhd; Wawasan Bintang Sdn Bhd; and Beriman Gold Sdn Bhd. Loke said all the companies were given 12 months to make preparations based on the conditions set out in the Guidelines for Granting PPKM Licences MV15. 'During this period, JPJ will carry out continuous monitoring and the Operating Licence will only be granted after the company concerned meets all regulatory requirements and equipment requirements and is ready to commence operations,' he said. Among the main conditions are the company's strong capabilities with a minimum paid-up capital of RM1 million, Sdn Bhd status and local ownership; and submit a location proposal for consideration subject to approval by MOT or Road Transport Department (JPJ). In addition, the company also needs to provide infrastructure that includes the development of premises, the acquisition of inspection equipment, integration with the MySikap system and the requirements to obtain approval from relevant authorities; and ensure that Motor Vehicle Inspectors receive competency accreditation by JPJ before they can commence work. 'Since some of the companies offered also carry out other activities such as buying and selling used vehicles, the company is required to provide an inspection room or lane as well as special staff for the purpose of operating PPKM MV15 is subject to the ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Conformity Assessment Requirements for the Operation of Various Types of Bodies Performing Inspection standard,' he said. Loke said the opening of more PPKMs is aimed at increasing healthy competition and ensuring better quality vehicle inspections for the safety of road users. 'The expansion of PPKMs is also in line with the current Vehicle Inspection Service policy, where the government has shifted from a single-player concession system to a multi-player licensing system,' he said. Loke meanwhile said that in the future, the ministry will see if there is a need to make it mandatory for motorcycles to be inspected before ownership changes are allowed. 'Right now, we do not make it mandatory for motorcycles to be inspected before ownership changes, but after we have these better facilities, we will also see if there is a need for motorcycles to also need to be verified before the ownership change is implemented,' he said. — Bernama
The Star
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Star
New vehicle inspection centres to open soon, says Transport Minister
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians can expect new privately-run vehicle inspection centres to start operations in the coming months, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke. He said that his ministry has appointed four companies to conduct ownership transfer inspections for private vehicles under the Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre (PPKM) initiative. Loke added that the move is part of the government's effort to ease congestion at existing Puspakom facilities, which currently hold a monopoly on such inspections. "This is a new initiative by the Transport Ministry to introduce additional Motor Vehicle Inspection Centres specifically for ownership transfer inspections involving private vehicles,' he said. "The appointment of these new centres is one of our efforts to increase the availability of ownership transfer inspection services in the market and reduce congestion at existing PPKM outlets," he added at a press conference on Wednesday (July 16). The four companies appointed are Carro Technology Sdn Bhd, Carsome Academy Sdn Bhd, Wawasan Bintang Sdn Bhd, and Beriman Gold Sdn Bhd. He said they were selected out of seven firms initially offered to participate in the nationwide implementation of this new policy. While the appointments are conditional, Loke said some firms have expressed readiness to begin operations earlier than the given timeline. "We have granted them 12 months to prepare their facilities in line with the operational guidelines. "However, we understand that some companies are ready to begin within three months, and if so, we are prepared to issue licences within that timeframe," he said. Loke explained that the inspections under the ownership transfer inspection (M.V.15) category are relatively simple and involve basic checks such as verifying chassis numbers. "These ownership transfer inspections are straightforward. However, when conducted at Puspakom alongside heavy vehicle inspections, even in separate lanes, they contribute to overall congestion. "That is why we decided to open up the market to more players," he said. Loke said the latest appointments mark a shift towards a multi-operator licensing system, departing from the previous single-operator concession model. "What we've done is break the monopoly. Users now have choices other than Puspakom," Loke said. According to him, all newly appointed companies must comply with strict requirements under the ISO/IEC 17020:2012 standards and integrate with the MySIKAP system before commencing operations. The Road Transport Department (JPJ) must also approve their facilities, he said. Loke added that the expansion of PPKM services is expected to boost healthy competition and improve the overall quality of vehicle inspections, thereby enhancing road safety for all users. While the current initiative focuses solely on private cars, Loke said the government may consider expanding mandatory ownership transfer inspections to motorcycles in the future. Loke added that there are over nine million motorcycles registered in the system. 'At the moment, we do not require inspections for motorcycle ownership transfers, but we will assess the need, especially given the risk of stolen motorcycles being sold without verification,' he said.
New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Govt appoints more companies to ease Puspakom inspection backlog
KUALA LUMPUR: The Transport Ministry has appointed additional Motor Vehicle Inspection Centres to carry out inspections specifically for vehicle ownership transfers involving private vehicles, in a move to reduce congestion at existing Puspakom branches. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the initiative is part of the government's strategy to expand the availability of inspection services in the market while addressing the long-standing issue of overcrowding at centres that also handle routine checks for commercial vehicles. "In the first phase, seven companies were offered the opportunity to provide M.V.15 inspections nationwide. Four have accepted the offer," he said in a statement. They are Carro Technology Sdn Bhd, Carsome Academy Sdn Bhd, Wawasan Bintang Sdn Bhd and Beriman Gold Sdn Bhd.
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia remains open to foreign stake in strategic assets: Loke
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has a longstanding policy that allows foreign participation in its strategic assets, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said. Citing MMC Corp Bhd's divestment of its stake in MMC Ports Holdings Bhd to foreign entities, seen as a pragmatic approach to corporate restructuring and foreign investment in the transport sector, he said Malaysia has long allowed foreign stakes in its ports. 'Regarding the concession, our position and policy are very clear – similar to Westports Holdings Bhd and MMC, foreign partners are allowed, but only up to a 49% stake,' Loke told reporters at the opening ceremony of Malaysia Maritime Week 2025 today. However, he emphasised that Malaysian companies must retain at least a 51% stake in any port concession to ensure local control. Loke added that any divestment of shares to foreign entities must be reported to and approved by the Ministry of Transport and the Public Private Partnership Unit. 'This is because it involves their concession.' Loke said the divestment of shares to foreign companies is not a new development. 'For instance, at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), a 30% stake has long been held by Mærsk Line,' he noted. He added that the ongoing discussions about MMC Group potentially divesting shares to foreign partners are purely commercial decisions made by the company. 'MMC currently holds concessions for Penang Port, Northport, PTP and several others. These matters fall under the company's commercial discretion,' Loke said. MMC Port Holdings – a wholly owned subsidiary of MMC Corp Bhd, which is controlled by tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary – is planning a major divestment exercise as part of its upcoming initial public offering (IPO). The company, which operates several key ports including PTP, Northport, Penang Port and Johor Port, is expected to sell up to a 30% stake through an offer for sale. According to reports, MMC Ports aims to raise about US$2 billion (RM8.5 billion) from the IPO, which would value the entire group at nearly US$7 billion (RM29.6 billion). In 2024, MMC Ports handled about 18 million TEUs across its major container ports, and it is the largest container port operator in Malaysia. The group also managed non-containerised cargo (bulk and breakbulk), totalling around 36.5 million tonnes in 2024, making it the second-largest non-container operator in Malaysia after Bintulu Port. Further, a 30% port tariff hike set to take effect this month is expected to enhance earnings and support the valuation story ahead of the IPO. Moving on, Loke hopes ongoing negotiations with the United States on potential imposition of a 25% tariff on Malaysia from Aug 1 will help mitigate the impact on the country's maritime industry and ensure it remains competitive. He said the maritime sector is performing well, supported by higher trade volumes at ports operated by MMC Corp and Westports. 'Currently, we are doing well. If you look at our ports, they are performing strongly because volumes have increased,' he said. 'We are awaiting the announcement by Lloyd's List this August that will confirm that Port Klang is among the top 10 busiest ports in the world,' he added. Loke said the government is doing its utmost to leverage all available diplomatic channels to secure a better deal with the US. 'We are using our diplomatic advantages to negotiate a better outcome so that we can hopefully mitigate any negative impact.'
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia reviews six maritime laws to boost industry competitiveness
PETALING JAYA: The Ministry of Transport is reviewing six key maritime laws to modernise Malaysia's shipping sector and align regulations with current industry demands. Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed the review includes the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 and related Sabah and Sarawak ordinances. A special committee chaired by Federal Court Judge Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan will oversee the legislative updates. The proposed amendments are expected to reach Parliament within a year. Loke clarified that the revisions aim to harmonise laws across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak without undermining state rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963. The review covers the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1960 (Sabah), Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1960 (Sarawak), Penang Port Commission Act 1955, Port Authorities Act 1963, and the Port (Privatisation) Act 1990. Loke stressed that the federal government has no plans to take over Sabah and Sarawak's maritime authority. Separately, the ministry plans to introduce the Admiralty Bill this year to establish a specialised maritime court. Currently, shipping disputes are handled by the High Court. The new court would streamline maritime case resolutions. – Bernama
