New Regulations For VISP Benefits Malaysian Public - Expert

The introduction of new regulations for Vehicle Inspection Service Providers (VISPs) in Malaysia, combined with advanced technologies, promises significant improvements in vehicle safety and service quality while also addressing consumer concerns.

Furthermore, consumers may benefit from shorter wait times, according to Malaysia Institute of Transport (MiTRANS) director and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Associate Professor Wan Mazlina Wan Mohamed, who spoke with Bernama about the government's decision to end Puspakom's three-decade monopoly.

Last month, Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook announced that Puspakom will no longer be the sole provider of vehicle inspection services for the road transport department starting September 1, 2024.

He stated that the Cabinet has decided that vehicle inspection services will be available to all qualified parties, and that new VISPs must meet financial thresholds of RM10 million in paid-up capital and RM5 million in working capital to ensure that only financially stable providers enter the market.

According to Wan Mazlina, these stringent financial requirements will ensure that inspection facilities have the most up-to-date diagnostic tools and technology.

She added that such investments would improve the reliability and consistency of inspections, bringing Malaysia's vehicle safety standards in line with international benchmarks like ISO 17020 and ISO 17025.

Wan Mazlina believes that expanding the locations of VISPs could result in significant reductions in consumer wait times, addressing a pressing issue for those seeking vehicle inspections today.

Despite these challenges, Wan Mazlina believes that competition among qualified VISPs will lead to more competitive pricing. She also emphasized the importance of maintaining high levels of service quality, safety, and integrity, all of which are critical for customer satisfaction.

This could also speed up the return on investment for VISPs, offsetting the high upfront costs over time.