KUALA LUMPUR: The Road Transport Department (RTD) has conducted nationwide surprise inspections at Puspakom centres to ensure compliance with vehicle inspection standards.

RTD enforcement senior director Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said the nationwide operation, dubbed "Op Gempur Puspakom", began at 9.30am today and involved 350 personnel.

"The surprise inspections conducted by the department today are a phased enforcement approach following the directive of the transport minister, which began with roadblocks.

"This will continue with raids on retread tyre manufacturers and enforcement activities on vehicle accessory shops together with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry's enforcement teams which will held soon," he told reporters at the Wangsa Maju Puspakom centre.

Present were Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan and City RTD director Hamidi Adam.

He said that for Puspakom Wangsa Maju alone, the department conducted inspections on 115 lorries.

"Out of the 115 lorries checked, 29 vehicles were subjected to enforcement action and 69 notices were issued.

"We have also seized five cars and two lorries, making a total of seven vehicles impounded within just two hours and 30 minutes of the operation."

He added that today's operation revealed several areas that require improvement.

"Firstly, we found many lorries using unsafe retread tyres. The ministry's secretary-general has informed Puspakom's chief executive officer to make immediate improvements as many of these tyres are prone to punctures or bursting at any time on the road. If left unaddressed, they could lead to accidents," he said.

Kifli said the inspection at Puspakom Wangsa Maju also revealed that one vehicle, deemed unsafe, had passed inspection at Puspakom.

Following this, he said, the supervisor and those responsible for the inspection will have to appear at the RTD's office tomorrow for questioning.

He also said that an investigation paper will be opened and updates will be given when more information has been gathered.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/12/1154426/rtd-surprise-checks-puspakom-centres-nationwide