KUALA LUMPUR: New Transport Minister Anthony Loke plans to outlaw the practice of bribery in the acquisition and issuance of driving licenses in the country.
Loke made his intention clear in a speech he delivered during an appreciation dinner at the Road Transport Department (JPJ) on Saturday.
"I will be tackling this problem," he was quoted as saying by China Press, after revealing that he had received multiple complaints and requests regarding the department, even before being sworn in.
He said from now on, anyone who fails their driving test will simply have to retake it.
Oriental Daily reported the Transport Minister as saying that Malaysians will no longer be able to bribe their way to a driving license.
He also acknowledged that the practice has been in place since the time he himself obtained his driver's license.
He pledged to spend time studying the problem.
According to Sinchew, the Associations of Driving Schools/Institutes Malaysia (Perpisma) welcomed Anthony's statement.
"(Outlawing bribes) will do the industry good," Perpisma's vice president was quoted as saying by Sinchew.
"We will finally be able to watch students learn driving the proper way, and rebuild the image of the industry," he added.