Can 300 SPAD enforcement officers cover West Malaysia?

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  With only 300 personnel throughout the whole of Peninsular Malaysia, does SPAD have the strength to make a dent in the slew of public transport problems facing the nation?

PETALING JAYA (Aug 26): With only 300 personnel throughout the whole of Peninsular Malaysia and more than half of that based in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, does the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) have the strength to make a dent in the slew of public transport problems facing the nation?

 

Its enforcement general manager Major General Datuk Che Hasni Che Ahmad toldfz.comthat he only has 105 enforcement agents to monitor the Central Zone consisting of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Southern Perak and Northern Negeri Sembilan.

 

When compared to the Road Transport Department (JPJ) that can mobilise 1,500 enforcement agents just to go undercover for Chinese New Year, SPAD's lack of personnel is really telling, raising the question of whether or not it can perform its duties effectively.

 

During an operation to bust errant taxi drivers last Tuesday, Che Hasni admitted that cases of taxis refusing to use their meters are on the increase. This operation alone saw 29 out of 30 taxi drivers checked found to be committing offences from not using their meters to not carrying a taxi driver's identification card.

 

One 35-year-old man was even caught twice on the same day for not using his meter – a first for SPAD.

 

If that was not enough, he tested positive for syabu and has been referred to the relevant authorities.

 

"This year we have caught 144 taxi drivers and the statistics are rising. Around 60% of the cases have been compounded or were brought to court. You have to understand, each case needs two to three months before completion as there is a lot of paperwork to do.

 

"After that, we still have to submit the investigation papers to the deputy public prosecutor who will decide what to do with the case," said Che Hasni.

 

Impressively, since July 2011 Che Hasni and his very small enforcement team have investigated 10,600 cases in Peninsular Malaysia even with the limited resources at their disposal. From that figure, six to seven thousand cases are found in the Central Zone.

 

"Yes, we only have around 300 personnel but I don't want anyone accusing us of not doing our job just because we have a small team. When you're conducting operations, no matter the number, you will never have enough enforcement personnel," said Che Hasni. 

 

When asked how he managed, the sacrifice made by the men and women serving in SPAD suddenly came to light when he said: "Well, we do our enforcement by shifts. Sometimes we are forced to do a 16-hour or even 24-hour shift."

 

Although he never said it out loud, it was clear that SPAD is in dire need of more manpower.

 

Regarding last week's bust, Che Hasni considered the operation a success.

 

"It's a 100% success. We will inform the taxi companies or permit holders regarding their errant drivers. We will prepare the investigation paper and expect them to come and give their statements in the next five days.

 

Since the beginning of the year, SPAD has investigated 3,816 cases relating to land public transport offences.

 

Che Hasni gave the largest breakdowns where SPAD has caught 1,105 taxis, 1,377 trucks and 637 buses.

- fz.com