Six vehicle inspection officers from the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (PUSPAKOM) have been suspended immediately on suspicion of involvement in a syndicate approving heavy vehicle inspections.
This suspension followed the arrest of the six officers by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
PUSPAKOM’s Chief Executive Officer, Mahmood Razak Bahman, confirmed the suspensions and emphasised the organisation’s zero-tolerance stance on misconduct, particularly regarding the integrity of vehicle inspection operations.
“As I have consistently stated, PUSPAKOM will not compromise on any crimes related to corruption. If there is evidence of wrongdoing, we will not hesitate to take stringent action against any staff involved in such activities,” he declared in a statement.
He further stressed that this includes staff colluding with syndicates to carry out unauthorised vehicle inspection approvals.
PUSPAKOM is also conducting an internal investigation to address the issue. “PUSPAKOM will not shield anyone involved in corruption,” he added, assuring that those implicated would be handed over to the authorities for appropriate action.
Earlier, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki, confirmed the arrest of eight individuals, including the six PUSPAKOM officers, for suspected involvement in the syndicate.
The six officers were released on MACC bail after providing their statements, while two others, identified as ‘runners’ appointed by the officers, were remanded for five days, from yesterday until Saturday.
According to FMT, a source from MACC alleged that the six suspects arrested were males, aged between 30 and 50.
PUSPAKOM is Malaysia’s first and only comprehensive national vehicle inspection company, appointed in 1994 by the government to undertake all mandatory inspections for both commercial and private vehicles.
Last March, Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook announced that PUSPAKOM would no longer be the sole provider of vehicle inspection services after its concession ends on 31 August 2024. More than 10 companies have applied for licences to conduct vehicle inspections as of 2 January.
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