PUTRAJAYA — The Road Transport Department (RTD) has to date, impounded 21 commercial vehicles at 37 Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centres (Puspakom) nationwide in its ongoing crackdown on corruption on vehicle checks.
RTD director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli told Bernama that the vehicles were impounded since Ops Khas Puspakom began on Dec 31.
The vehicles were in violation of the Road Transport Act 1987
commercial vehicles that violated for offences such as using fake Motor Vehicle Trade Licences (LPKM), expired road tax and insurance, and employing LPKM from another company.
Aedy Fadly Ramli said the vehicles were impounded for offences such as using fake Motor Vehicle Trade Licences (LPKM), expired road tax and insurance, and for using LPKM from another company.
“Among the seized vehicles, RTD also found a lorry that was approved by Puspakom even though its physical condition did not meet safety standards.
RTD has alsoformed a strategic partnership with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to tackle misconduct related to vehicle inspections at Puspakom.
On Jan 7, six vehicle inspection officers with Puspakom were suspended on suspicion of being involved in a syndicate approving heavy vehicle checks.
Several arrests, including of Puspakom inspection officers, have also been made.
MACC said recently that preliminary investigations found Puspakom officials to be taking bribes of between RM150 to RM1,500 per month from “runners” in exchange for approving vehicle inspections.
Authorities have spoken on the fatal consequences of allowing such corruption to go unchecked, with Puspakom CEO Mahmood Razak Bahman saying that the tragic deaths of seven people in a three-vehicle accident, including a commercial heavy vehicle, on Dec 23, was the catalyst for the RTD investigation into Puspakom. – January 13, 2025