Perak MIC Youth has joined the chorus of voices expressing concerns over the Transport Ministry’s appointment of Rider Gate Sdn Bhd as an authorised Road Transport Department (RTD) collection agent.
Urging the government to ensure that the data security of Malaysians is not “sacrificed”, state MIC Youth chief Theeageesh Ganesan took issue with the lack of transaction records by existing service providers.
He said such deficiencies only result in more unease over the move to grant a new service provider, such as Rider Gate, access to the data of millions of Malaysians.
“What is the rationale behind the Transport Ministry granting access to Malaysians’ personal data to a company that was only registered in 2023 and is involved in the motor services sector?
“What security measures have been studied and implemented to ensure data safety and proper database access?” Theeageesh questioned in a statement today.
He also claimed that since there is “no evidence or record” on how existing agents had improved efficiency or reduced transaction errors throughout their operations, the government’s backing of such agents does not lend confidence.
“Without supporting data, the argument that appointing new agents would ‘streamline’ operations is weakened.
“As such, Perak MIC Youth urges the government to re-examine user data security aspects before such contracts are awarded to new service providers under any ministry or department,” he pressed.
Theeageesh also took aim at Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s previous assurance that Rider Gate’s appointment was not to generate profit for a private company, but to streamline public services through digitalisation.
“Such statements only invite various questions and doubts. Although commissions are denied, Loke did not explain the ‘nominal charge’ imposed by Rider Gate, which might be a hidden burden on users, unlike free transactions via MyJPJ,” he added.
10 agents since 2016
On Dec 8, it was announced that Rider Gate, a unit of Ramssol Group Bhd, had been appointed as RTD’s collection agent for motor vehicle ownership transfers, motor vehicle licence renewals, and traffic summons payments.
The services include a “nominal fee” per transaction, New Straits Times reported. The system, it added, also provides real-time reporting to RTD and the ministry, ensuring transparency and accountability.
On Dec 10, Loke dismissed claims that the RTD pays any form of commission to its agents, noting that such companies are required to hand over 100 percent of the amount collected to the government.
The minister highlighted that since 2016, there have been 10 collection agents offering road tax renewal, ownership transfer, and summons payments.
“The opposition is claiming that collection agents will now earn commissions from every RTD transaction. It certainly sounds very lucrative if you listen to the opposition’s narrative.
“What’s interesting is that the Perikatan Nasional government also appointed collection agents on April 29, 2022, yet it was never portrayed as profiteering or selling out RTD - because they know what they are spreading now is false,” Loke said in a Facebook post then.
Clarification on agent appointments
The RTD also said assertions portraying the appointment of collection agents as the privatisation of RTD services stem from a “misunderstanding” regarding the role of RTD collection agents.
Disclosing that RTD has appointed a total of 10 collection agents, the department’s director-general said collection agents have no role in collections conducted through official channels, namely the MyJPJ and MySikap applications, and RTD offices, which will continue to be managed by the department.
The appointment of RTD collection agents, Aedy Fadly Ramli explained, allows RTD services to be offered through additional channels.
Emphasising that the appointment of collection agents does not involve any cost to the government, Aedy said in a statement on Dec 9 that companies previously appointed as collection agents include POS Malaysia Berhad, Puspakom Sdn Bhd, MyEG Services Sdn Bhd, Konsortium Multimedia Swasta Sdn Bhd, TCSENS Sdn Bhd, and TNG Sdn Bhd.
Appointment brickbats
His remarks came after PAS questioned Rider Gate’s appointment, with the party’s information committee research and policy department director Nurul Islam Yusoff pointing out that the services offered by the collection agent are accessible through the MySikap and MyJPJ applications.
Nurul Islam further claimed that checks found that Rider Gate, incorporated on Oct 19, 2023, showed a discouraging financial record.
As such, he urged Loke to explain how Rider Gate was selected, questioning why more capable companies were not considered.
MCA Youth deputy chairperson Mike Chong Yew Chuan had also raised similar concerns, calling on the Transport Ministry to clarify if there was an open tender process, if other companies were considered, and if there were “preliminary negotiations or informal agreements”.
“Public services in this manner must never be done through internal appointments or closed-door deals; Malaysians must be kept informed. If we already have comprehensive government systems, why appoint a private company to provide the same services?
“Is RTD unable to handle the volume of users? Are there major technical weaknesses? Or was a market space deliberately opened for certain parties to fill?” he queried. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.