Be more emphatic & sympathetic to bus drivers when expediting the change from SPAD to APAD

Ministers must be more sympathetic and emphatic towards the stakeholders or victims of any policy or institutional change. Ever since Pakatan Harapan took over the government, the Ministers are quick to make public announcements of changes without proper studies or being thoughtful of the negative impacts and possible victims of their proposed changes. Thus many announcements have to be withdrawn and U-turns made. 

A case in point is the impact of the change from the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) on bus drivers or owners of tour buses, school buses, express buses and buses for rent.

The speed at which the proposed changes was done was too hasty and failed to consider the practical measures as to how this decision would impede stakeholders. The recent call by the Peninsular Malaysia Association of Excursion Bus Operators for the government to find a solution to the impasse that resulted on their inability to renew permits showcases the insensitivity towards the hardships caused by policy and institutional changes to stakeholders that could have been avoided if there had been consideration and decisions made with less haste or rash.

After APAD took over the functions of SPAD which was decommissioned, bus operators have expressed grievance as renewals of their bus permits being stalled since its announcement last June 2018.

Had the transition from APAD and SPAD been studied before being implemented, it could have been smoother while the inconvenience and hardships caused to the bus operators could have been avoided. Trouble shooting should have been conducted prior to the announcement, Q&A published on the APAD and Transport Ministry websites in addition to proper notices and time frame given to bus permit holders.

With the impasse on the renewal of their bus permits, bus operators lament that they have to outsource their operations. Costs are thereby increased and ultimately, it is the consumers who would have to bear all. In addition, bus operators cannot renew their road tax and bus insurance or send their buses to Puspakom for inspection.

The transportation and tourism industries which are heavily reliant on buses are likewise affected.

The explanation given by the Minister that the delays are due to the procedures and red tapes by the Public Services Commission is unacceptable. The Minister and his Ministry ought to have taken into consideration these red tapes and the complications arising therefrom before jumping the gun by making an announcement or a decision when they have not studied the matter thoroughly. It is the rakyat who are being punished or have to suffer hardships and inconveniences that could have been avoided . There must be more thoughts, responsibility and considerations given to these victims.

MCA calls on Transport Minister Antony Loke to immediately resolve this issue. Interims or solutions should have been provided in the interest of the bus operators. While PH leaders are haphazardly trying to make changes, the public especially passengers who are dependent on transportation providers are left disappointed and shouldered with more cost, expenses and sufferings. 

Senator Dato’ Sri Ti Lian Ker
MCA Vice President

-MCA online-