Puspakom Booking Scam: RM3.50 Slots Flipped for RM750

Puspakom CEO Mahmood Razak Bahman has revealed that ‘runners,’ are profiting up to RM750 per appointment slot at the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom).

This issue surfaced after Puspakom suspended walk-in vehicle inspections, including reinspections for previously failed vehicles. The decision was aimed to maintain service quality and prevent overworking vehicle examiners (VEs).

According to Bernama, Mahmood stated that “runners” secure multiple appointment slots by manipulating the system. They use the same vehicle chassis number but change the registration plates, allowing them to book multiple slots under different identities.

Each appointment slot costs RM3.50, but “runners” resell these slots at exorbitant prices - up to RM750 per slot.

Puspakom, alongside the Road Transport Department (JPJ), has launched an investigation to identify those involved.

“We are looking into who is responsible and why they are doing this. These “runners” will be called in for questioning,” Mahmood stated during a briefing at the Shah Alam Puspakom centre, attended by Malaysia’s JPJ director-general, Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli.

In response to this abuse, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook recently announced stricter measures, including a ban on multiple bookings for the same vehicle registration number.

Speaking at a press conference, Aedy Fadly confirmed that JPJ is also working with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to take further action.

However, he also went on to highlight that they are still unable to identity or contact these “runners” and are looking at alternative methods to locate them.

However, at Carz.com.my, we find this claim puzzling. Given that every transaction is computerised and booked through the “runners”, how are the authorities unable to trace them? Or is the system flawed in some way? 

Source: BERNAMA