Time to jettison privatised vehicle inspections

 

The government has ample justification for its decision to terminate Puspakom’s long-standing monopoly over the vehicle inspection process.

Put in place in the mid-1990s when Dr Mahathir Mohamad was prime minister, the privatisation deal has largely failed to achieve its intended objectives, bringing minimal benefits to road users.

Instead, it has over the past three decades brought about a host of unintended and far-reaching negative consequences. The recent uncovering of bribery and corruption within the system has further fuelled public and governmental discontent.

This malpractice has resulted in the proliferation of unsafe vehicles on our crowded road network, resulting in an alarmingly high accident rate and undermining public safety.

The resultant loss of life and injuries underscore the system’s failures, burdening industry and society at large. They constitute valid grounds for the government to terminate the arrangement.

Over the years, successive government administrations have ignored the problems instead of looking to rectify them. It is now incumbent upon the current unity government to take decisive steps.

New entrants may not resolve problems

The government’s recent decision to introduce 10 new companies to compete with Puspakom is a long-overdue attempt to break a 30-year monopoly.

However, this move risks exacerbating existing issues, placing additional financial pressure on new players in the inspection industry.

As commercial entities, each of these entrants will inevitably be under pressure to recover their investments as quickly as possible.

The introduction of more competition would inevitably create more opportunities for corruption to fester. Instead of having to pay bribes to a single company, operators would now have multiple options!

Furthermore, treating vehicle inspection as a business venture creates conflicting objectives. Profit-driven entities may prioritise revenue over public safety, thereby undermining the primary goal of ensuring roadworthiness and reducing accidents.

A non-commercial framework

A more effective solution lies in the implementation of a stricter, non-commercial regulatory framework with safety, rather than profitability, the top priority.

Robust enforcement mechanisms, transparency and accountability are essential to eliminate corruption and ensure the integrity of the system.

Lessons from the UK model

The UK’s vehicle inspection system offers a compelling alternative. Key features of this model include:

• A decentralised inspection framework: Thousands of independent workshops, certified by the UK’s Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), are authorised to conduct inspections, ensuring accessibility and convenience. Transport operators also benefit from the fact that the system eliminates queues and delays in the inspection process.
• Stringent regulation: The DVSA enforces clear safety and environmental standards, audits workshops regularly, and takes swift action in the event of non-compliance. Workshop owners, managers and technicians, as representatives of the authority, are required to discharge their duties and responsibilities with integrity, efficiently and effectively.
• Transparency and accountability: Uniform testing procedures, standards and rigorous oversight ensure public trust in the system, with no room for corrupt practices, as the price to pay for such acts are costly and punitive.
• Separation of testing and repairs: Inspection centres (workshops) are often prohibited from conducting repairs themselves to prevent conflicts of interest.

Malaysia could adopt a similar approach with appropriate adaptations. Existing workshops across the country could be certified and regulated, eliminating the need for significant new investments.

However, for this model to succeed, strict regulatory controls and a robust oversight mechanism must be established.

Conclusion

The privatised vehicle inspection system has failed to deliver on its promises. The government must prioritise road safety over profits and corruption.

By adopting a model similar to the UK’s and instituting stricter regulations, Malaysia can establish a fairer, safer and more efficient vehicle inspection system that serves the public good.

The formation of a task force, as announced by the transport minister on Jan 6 signals his commitment to public safety and accountability.

Now is the time to abandon a failed policy in favour of one that will bring progress and efficiency. - FMT

The author can be reached at: rosli@mdsconsultancy.com

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.