Collection agents appointed by the Road Transport Department (RTD) do not receive any commission for RTD service-related transactions, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said.
Addressing claims by opposition members that collection agents stand to profit, Loke explained that since 2016, there have been 10 collection agents providing additional channels for services such as road tax renewals, ownership transfers, and fine payments.
The RTD has not paid a single cent in commission.
“The opposition claims that collection agents will now earn commissions from every RTD transaction.
“It sounds very profitable—if you listen to their narrative. Interestingly, the Perikatan Nasional government also appointed collection agents on April 29, 2022, but it was never portrayed as profiteering or ‘selling out’ RTD because those claims were false,” Loke said in a Facebook video on Wednesday.
He added that technology-based platforms become collection agents not for profit, but to provide easier access for customers.
“For example, when dealing with an online vehicle trading platform, any outstanding fines must be cleared before a sale. Then ownership is transferred, and finally, a new road tax must be issued.
“Companies seek collection agent status so all transactions can be coordinated at once, instead of dealing with the RTD three separate times.
“They not only receive no commission, but for some transactions, such as ownership transfers, they even pay the RTD.
“Yet these platforms remain interested because it simplifies the process for their customers.”
Loke noted that for one-off transactions, the MyJPJ app is still easier.
“With the growth of digitalisation, more online platforms will apply for collection agent status, and the Transport Ministry will facilitate the process.
“This is the true story: no commission, no profit from the RTD. It is purely a value-added service. But according to the opposition, anyone who applies is a crony—except when it’s the government,” he added.
Yesterday, RTD director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli dismissed claims that appointing collection agents amounts to privatising RTD services, noting the practice has existed since 2016.
As of Dec 9, the RTD had appointed 10 collection agents to provide additional service channels.
“Claims that the appointment of collection agents is a form of privatisation stem from a misunderstanding of their role.
“Collection agents have no involvement in collections made through official channels—MyJPJ, MySikap, or RTD offices—which are fully managed by the RTD.
“Instead, collection agents allow RTD services to be offered via additional channels,” he said in a statement.