Transport Ministry to create APAD

PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry will set up its new entity, the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), which will be spearheaded by a director-general to implement policies on the development of the land public transport sector in the country.
Minister, Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the Cabinet today agreed to the establishment of the agency after Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced the disbandment of the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) in the middle of last month.
He said the APAD would play its role in the planning and development of the land public transport sector, particularly in relation to the Mass Rail Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), rail transportation and bus systems.
"In order to avoid overlapping of functions in the land transport enforcement, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) will be given the authority to carry out enforcement of the Land Public Transport Act 2010 (Act 715).
"The existing functions of SPAD in enforcement and providing counter services will be handled by the JPJ ... as such, there will be no separate counters of JPJ and SPAD after the restructuring exercise," he told a press conference at his ministry here.
Loke said the JPJ would be authorised for the issuance of licences and permits for public transport as well as travel and commercial vehicle operators, at its counters.
The organisation structure and staffing of the APAD would be done with the Public Services Department (PSD), he added.
Following the restructuring exercise, Loke said the SPAD Act 2010 (Act 714) would be abolished to empower the ministry, APAD and JPJ while two others acts – the Land Public Transport Act 2010 (Act 715) and Road Transport Act 1987 – would be amended to empower the JPJ.
He also said four sub-committees led by ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim were set up to monitor the restructuring plan from SPAD to APAD.
In empowering the land transport sector in the country, Loke said the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP) of Sabah and Sarawak would be placed under the purview of the ministry, instead of being under the Prime Minister's Department.
"This is to ensure that the implementation of policies, regulations, licensing and enforcement in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak is coordinated, consistent and integrated," he added.
He said the SPAD still operated as usual until the SPAD Act was abolished in the Parliamentary sitting, which would be convened next month.
"Many are still confused and think the SPAD is disbanded, hence, there will be no enforcement and summonses need not be paid. That is not accurate because SPAD still exists today, until the SPAD Act is abolished in the Parliament," he added. — Bernama