KUALA LUMPUR - The Transport Ministry (MOT) cannot arbitrarily reduce the frequency of commercial vehicle inspections to ensure other road user safety.
Its deputy minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah said all the procedures, standards and frequency of inspections under the rules of motor vehicles, periodic inspections, motor vehicle equipment that have been set are based on standards used internationally.
"The frequency of inspection of the vehicle has been set taking into account the safety aspects of vehicle components, especially involving critical safety components such as brakes, tyres and vehicle control systems.
"It is feared that if this (inspection) period is spaced out, it will increase the risk of vehicle component failure thus causing serious road accidents, especially involving heavy vehicles such as trucks carrying heavy foods such as sand, iron products, cement and other construction materials, " he said in the Dewan Negara today.
He was replying to a supplementary question by Senator Rita Sarimah Patrick Insol on lowering the frequency of commercial vehicle inspections from a year to reduce the burden on smallholders.
At the same time, he said his ministry was also aware that there is currently no maximum age limit for the replacement of goods vehicles because old vehicles also contribute to the risk of failure of the vehicle components involved.
"So, this matter will be monitored by the government to protect the safety of other users," he said. - BERNAMA