'End Puspakom monopoly after deadliest crash'
Published: Nov 8, 2014 1:59 PM | Updated: Nov 8, 2014 2:15 PM
Putrajaya should put an end to Puspakom's monopoly on commercial vehicle inspection particularly after its role in the Genting Highlands bus crash, says Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong.
Putrajaya should put an end to Puspakom's monopoly on commercial vehicle inspection particularly after its role in the Genting Highlands bus crash, says Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong.
He said this after it was revealed in Parliament on Tuesday that Puspakom's concession as the sole body for commercial vehicle inspection had been extended to 2024.
Liew said the investigation into the 2013 Genting Highlands bus crash – the country's deadliest road accident to date – had criticised Puspakom for its role in the accident.
"It was revealed that Puspakom did not conduct proper checks or keep up-to-date records on the bus owned by Genting Highlands Transport which plunged into a ravine and killed 37 previous lives.
"Faulty brakes were found to be among the main reasons behind the worst accident in the nation's history," he said in a statement today.
Liew quoted the Independent Advisory Panel which investigated the incident, which noted Puspakom was “lackadaisical in conducting vehicle inspection and it did not take appropriate action for improvement".
The panel added it believed this was not an isolated incident, said Liew.
Promise to end monopoly
As such, Liew questioned the government decision to extend Puspakom's exclusive rights to commercial vehicle extension despite a 2009 promise that this monopoly will end this year.
Liew said the revelation by Deputy Minister in Prime Minister's Department SK Devamany is a U-turn from the 2009 decision.
"The decision to continue with the monopoly arrangement was made by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) which we must remember, is under the purview of the prime minister.
"Devamany even said the issue concerning Puspakom's agreement is 'sensitive'.
"Why is it so sensitive? Is it because Puspakom is a subsidiary of DRB-Hicom Berhad which is a conglomerate controlled by Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary?" said Liew.
To overcome the problems with Puspakom, Liew urged Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai to come clean on whether he is willing to liberalise commercial vehicle inspection to allow other qualified and competent service providers to come in.
"By liberalising the vehicle inspection market and at the same time stepping up regulatory enorcement efforts by the Road Transport Department, only then vehicle owners could benefit from reduced risk of road accidents," he said.
He said this after it was revealed in Parliament on Tuesday that Puspakom's concession as the sole body for commercial vehicle inspection had been extended to 2024.
Liew said the investigation into the 2013 Genting Highlands bus crash – the country's deadliest road accident to date – had criticised Puspakom for its role in the accident.
"It was revealed that Puspakom did not conduct proper checks or keep up-to-date records on the bus owned by Genting Highlands Transport which plunged into a ravine and killed 37 previous lives."Faulty brakes were found to be among the main reasons behind the worst accident in the nation's history," he said in a statement today.
Liew quoted the Independent Advisory Panel which investigated the incident, which noted Puspakom was “lackadaisical in conducting vehicle inspection and it did not take appropriate action for improvement".
The panel added it believed this was not an isolated incident, said Liew.
Promise to end monopoly
As such, Liew questioned the government decision to extend Puspakom's exclusive rights to commercial vehicle extension despite a 2009 promise that this monopoly will end this year.
Liew said the revelation by Deputy Minister in Prime Minister's Department SK Devamany is a U-turn from the 2009 decision.
"The decision to continue with the monopoly arrangement was made by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) which we must remember, is under the purview of the prime minister."Devamany even said the issue concerning Puspakom's agreement is 'sensitive'.
"Why is it so sensitive? Is it because Puspakom is a subsidiary of DRB-Hicom Berhad which is a conglomerate controlled by Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary?" said Liew.
To overcome the problems with Puspakom, Liew urged Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai to come clean on whether he is willing to liberalise commercial vehicle inspection to allow other qualified and competent service providers to come in.
"By liberalising the vehicle inspection market and at the same time stepping up regulatory enorcement efforts by the Road Transport Department, only then vehicle owners could benefit from reduced risk of road accidents," he said.
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