KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) has emphasised that Malaysia cannot depend solely on Puspakom or any single organisation to ensure the safety of heavy vehicles. All licensed inspection agencies must take responsibility to help prevent tragic road accidents.
Speaking to Scoop, Miros chairman Professor Dr Wong Shaw Voon said the recent deadly crash near the Bukit Kajang toll plaza, where a four-vehicle pile-up allegedly caused by a lorry’s brake failure claimed the life of a 12-month-old child has exposed serious flaws in the nation’s inspection and enforcement systems.
The victim, Amir Husayn, was ejected from his family’s car and became trapped under it. Several others were injured, with police suspecting mechanical failure as a contributing factor.
“It is essential to determine whether the vehicle involved was inspected as required, as this will likely be a crucial aspect of the police investigation,” Wong said.
He stressed that reliance on Puspakom or any single entity is inadequate.
“Safety is a systemic issue and it cannot be the responsibility of just one department or party,” he said.
Wong highlighted the importance of periodic technical inspections (PTI), mandated every six months, to ensure lorries remain roadworthy. These inspections cover components such as tyres, windscreens, ignition systems, and the structural integrity of the vehicle.
“Heavy vehicles frequently encounter bumps or carry heavy loads that can affect their structure. We need to ensure they continue to meet safety standards,” he explained.
Wong noted that vehicle owners sometimes overlook or underestimate issues. Having a third party conduct inspections, he said, helps identify problems.
“A poorly maintained vehicle can be extremely dangerous. If not properly managed, it can lead to fatalities. This is why PTI is so crucial,” he added.
He also stressed the need for enforcement, saying authorities must ensure thorough inspections and regularly audit inspection companies.
“You can’t just sign a contract with a company and assume everything will function perfectly without oversight. There must be ongoing checks and balances. Authorities need to confirm that companies are performing inspections accurately and consistently. This monitoring is essential for creating a safer and more effective system,” Wong said.
In July 2024, the Transport Ministry appointed Carro Technology, Carsome Academy, Wawasan Bintang, and Beriman Gold to conduct M.V. 15 inspections as part of vehicle ownership transfers.
In August 2024, additional appointments were announced for the issuance of the PPKM (Pusat Pemeriksaan Kenderaan Motor) licence.
At present, only Carro Technology and Carsome Academy hold the M.V. 15 licence, which is separate from the PPKM licence.
The Transport Ministry’s initiative aims to ease congestion at Puspakom facilities, which have long monopolised inspection services. The four appointed companies have been given 12 months to prepare their facilities according to the required operational guidelines. – October 2, 2025