JPJ, SPAD, police should form permanent committee, integrated admin centre - EAIC

The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has advised agencies that enforce laws related to roads and road transport to form a permanent committee and an integrated administrative centre for more efficient and effective enforcement.

EAIC chairman Datuk Yaacob Md Sam said the three agencies enforcing road-related laws, namely the Road Transport Department (JPJ), the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) should work closely to improve road safety.

He said that in the current system, JPJ, the police and SPAD could not access each others' records online and this had an impact on enforcement and follow-up action to be taken.

"All three agencies need an integrated system to link-up and allow them to share information and enforce road laws effectively.

"This could prevent situations where one agency does not know the records or actions taken by other agencies," he told reporters here Thursday.

Yaacob also suggested that SPAD be re-included under the supervision of the EAIC, as the commission also received complaints regarding misconduct of SPAD enforcement officers.

Formerly known as Peninsula Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB), the SPAD, since its formation in 2010, ceased to be under the supervision of the EAIC.

He said the commission had held discussions with the Ministry of Transport and the Prime Minister on the suggestion.

"We will make a formal recommendation to the government to reinstate SPAD under the supervision of the EAIC," he said, adding that the commission had received about 10 complaints against SPAD.

On amendment to the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009 (Act 700), Yaacob said the proposed amendments include requiring institutions or disciplinary bodies in law enforcement agencies under its purview to give feedback regarding disciplinary action taken following the recommendations made by the EAIC.

He said disciplinary boards would be given a 90-day period after receiving the recommendations of the EAIC, compared to previously, where there was no time frame.

"We found that certain disciplinary boards took up to eight months to take disciplinary action. This made the recommendations ineffective when implemented. This could not strengthen the discipline of civil servants," he said.

Yaacob added that the proposed amendments to Act 700 was now in the final stages of being approved by the Attorney General's Chambers.

He also denied that the commission was meddling with the internal affairs of disciplinary boards of the agencies under its supervision.

"EAIC will investigate, and once the investigation is completed, we send a report to the disciplinary board, and the report can be used as a basis for disciplinary action. We only make suggestions," he said. - Bernama