KUALA LUMPUR: A surprise inspection by the Road Transport Department (RTD) at the Wangsa Maju Puspakom centre uncovered that an unsafe vehicle had passed its inspection, sparking immediate action.
During the inspection, RTD officers discovered a significant number of lorries with unsafe retreaded tyres waiting in line for inspection.
RTD enforcement senior director Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said the operation, dubbed "Ops Gempur Puspakom," was conducted nationwide as part of a four-phase enforcement initiative following directives from the Transport Minister.
"This operation is crucial, given the recent incidents involving commercial vehicles. It aims to ensure stricter compliance with safety standards," he said.
He said the Puspakom supervisor and personnel responsible for approving the unsafe vehicle had been summoned to the RTD headquarters for questioning.
He said an investigation paper would be open and updates would be provided once further details were available.
During the inspection, RTD officers discovered a significant number of lorries with unsafe retreaded tyres waiting in line for inspection.
"The Transport Ministry secretary-general (Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan) has informed Puspakom's chief executive officer (Mahmood Razak Bahman) to make immediate improvements in this regard as many of these tyres are prone to bursting at any time on the road. If left unaddressed, they could lead to accidents," he told reporters at the Wangsa Maju Puspakom centre.
Also present was City RTD director Hamidi Adam.
The nationwide operation began at 9.30am and involved 350 RTD personnel.
It forms part of a phased approach that started with highway roadblocks and will extend to raids on retreaded tyre manufacturers and vehicle accessory shops in collaboration with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
At the Wangsa Maju Puspakom centre alone, RTD inspected 115 lorries by noon.
"Out of these, 29 vehicles faced enforcement actions, and we issued a total of 69 notices. Additionally, we impounded seven vehicles, including five cars and two lorries, within just two and a half hours," Kifli said.
In response, Mahmood reaffirmed the company's commitment to integrity and strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOP).
"We take these findings seriously and are committed to complying with RTD's standards. Any misconduct, particularly involving corruption, will be met with strict action," he said.
Mahmood also disclosed that while no corruption cases had been reported this year, disciplinary actions were taken against staff who failed to follow procedures.
"We issued warnings and, in persistent cases, dismissed employees for repeated SOP violations," he said.
He stressed the importance of collaboration between Puspakom, RTD, and vehicle owners to maintain road safety.
"It's not just about RTD or Puspakom. Vehicle owners must also play their part in ensuring their vehicles are roadworthy," he added.