While he commends the guidelines issued by the Transport Ministry for potential VISPs as solid, he emphasises that allowing repair work at these centres could save vehicle owners time and inconvenience.
Drawing from his experience in the United Kingdom, Wan Agyl highlights how vehicle owners there are required to undergo annual inspections before renewing road tax and insurance. In the UK, inspection centres provide a checklist of necessary repairs, streamlining the process for vehicle owners.
Wan Agyl suggests that Malaysia could adopt a similar approach, gradually allowing VISPs to offer repair options after focusing on vehicle inspection first. He emphasises the importance of proper audits, stringent monitoring, and heavy penalties to prevent potential abuse when inspection and repair work are conducted under one roof.
The move to end Puspakom’s monopoly on vehicle inspection is viewed positively by Wan Agyl, as it decentralises the market and introduces competition, ultimately benefiting vehicle owners. He notes issues such as congestion at Puspakom centres, particularly for public transport operators, which could be alleviated by offering alternative inspection services.
Rosli Azad Khan, another transport expert, emphasises that companies entering the VISP market should prioritise vehicle safety and roadworthiness over profit. He stresses the need for all commercial vehicles to be maintained properly and kept in good working order.
While the guidelines for new VISPs are stringent, with significant capital requirements, Rosli explains that this is necessary to ensure that only serious players enter the market. He acknowledges that the competition from new VISPs will coexist with Puspakom, as the latter’s contract will be extended for 15 years from September 1, 2024.
Overall, the move to introduce competition in the vehicle inspection market is seen as a positive step toward improving service quality and efficiency for vehicle owners in Malaysia.