JPJ to seek domestic trade ministry’s help over tyre rental

PETALING JAYA: The road transport department (JPJ) has acknowledged the existence of “cosmetic agents” offering tyre rental services to commercial vehicles to pass Puspakom inspections but says it lacks the authority to act against them.

JPJ director-general Aedy Fadly Ramli said the department will address the matter by collaborating with the domestic trade and cost of living ministry.

“This practice is dangerous and fraudulent. During inspections at Puspakom, it has been found that rented, well-maintained tyres are used instead of the vehicles’ actual tyres.

“However, JPJ does not have authority over these premises, so we will consult the ministry soon,” he was quoted by Berita Harian as saying.

Aedy said he plans to meet with the ministry’s director-general for enforcement, Azman Adam, within the next two weeks to discuss the matter and take appropriate action.

Last week, Puspakom CEO Mahmood Razak Bahman also said the company lacked the authority to act against commercial vehicle owners using such services, and welcomed JPJ’s efforts to resolve the problem.

Earlier, transport consultant Rosli Azad Khan had called for the government to tackle the problem of “cosmetic agents” in the industry.

This followed posts on social media that commercial vehicles were renting tyres for Puspakom inspections.

In a post on Dec 26, the “Lando Zawawi – Brotherhood Malaysia” Facebook account shared a screenshot of a tyre company advertising the said service.