Puspakom to Run 24 Hours Daily by 2027

Puspakom 24-Hour Operations: What Malaysian Vehicle Owners Need to Know

Puspakom (Pusat Pemeriksaan Kenderaan Berkomputer) is Malaysia's designated computerised vehicle inspection centre, operated under the purview of the Ministry of Transport, and it plans to extend its operating hours to 24 hours daily starting January 2027. The service provider, managed by CEO Mahmood Razak Bahman, conducts mandatory periodic vehicle inspections required for roadworthiness certification, including for private vehicles, commercial fleets, and vehicles involved in accidents. This extension aims to solve a persistent problem for Malaysian vehicle owners: long waiting times and limited inspection slots at busy branches, particularly in high-density areas like the Klang Valley, Penang, and Johor Bahru. The initiative is part of a broader modernisation effort that includes new community recognition awards and expanded on-site inspection services.

Key Facts

This section provides the verified operational facts about Puspakom's planned 24-hour service extension, based on the official announcement made on 5 September 2026.

When Will Puspakom Operate 24 Hours Daily?

Puspakom targets a 24-hour daily operation launch in January 2027, but this timeline is conditional on the success of the seven-day weekly operation starting November 2026 and the availability of sufficient workforce. The announcement was made by CEO Mahmood Razak Bahman on 5 September 2026 at the GiCheck Auto Weekend 2026 event held at AEON Bukit Tinggi. The plan is designed to accommodate vehicle owners who face difficulty scheduling inspections during standard business hours, particularly those in the commercial transport sector who operate outside typical 9-to-5 windows.

"Kami telah mengadakan perbincangan dengan Kesatuan Kebangsaan Pekerja-Pekerja Komersial (NUCW) dan Kesatuan Kakitangan Puspakom untuk mendapatkan pandangan mereka mengenai konsep yang menyediakan waktu bekerja lebih munasabah. Khususnya (kerja) lapan hingga 10 jam sehari berbanding 12 jam sekarang, serta dua hari rehat seminggu berbanding satu hari sebelum ini. Bagi operasi 24 jam pula, sasaran pelancarannya adalah pada Januari depan."

— Mahmood Razak Bahman, Chief Executive Officer, Puspakom (translated from Malay: "We have held discussions with the National Union of Commercial Workers (NUCW) and the Puspakom Staff Union to get their views on a concept that provides more reasonable working hours. Specifically, eight to ten hours a day compared to the current 12 hours, and two rest days a week compared to one day previously. For 24-hour operations, the launch target is January next year.")

The CEO explicitly stated that implementation depends on three factors: public feedback on the seven-day week, workforce readiness, and operational capacity. This conditional approach indicates that the 2027 timeline is a target rather than a confirmed date, and Malaysian vehicle owners should monitor official Puspakom announcements for final confirmation.

As of the September 2026 announcement, the 24-hour operation is scheduled for January 2027, pending public response to the November 2026 seven-day week trial and workforce availability.

What Are the New Puspakom Initiatives for 2026–2027?

Puspakom is introducing two major initiatives alongside the extended hours: the Puspakom Towering Malaysian Award to recognise unsung community contributors, and an expanded on-site inspection service for customer convenience. These initiatives were announced at the inaugural GiCheck Auto Weekend 2026, which ran in conjunction with National Month celebrations under the theme "Bersama Memandu ke Arah Jalan Raya Lebih Selamat" (Together Driving Towards Safer Roads). The event featured technical demonstrations including drunk and drug driving (DUI) simulations, seat belt convincer tests, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technology showcases.

The on-site inspection expansion is particularly relevant for commercial fleet operators and businesses that manage multiple vehicles, as it reduces the logistical burden of transporting each vehicle to a physical Puspakom branch. The Towering Malaysian Award is being developed in collaboration with strategic partners and selected media agencies, with further details to be announced. These modernisation efforts are expected to improve overall operational efficiency while strengthening the relationship between the inspection agency and the local community.

The Puspakom Towering Malaysian Award and expanded on-site inspection services were both announced on 5 September 2026, with the award being developed alongside strategic media partners.

How Will 24-Hour Operations Affect Malaysian Vehicle Owners?

For Malaysian vehicle owners, 24-hour Puspakom operations mean significantly greater flexibility in scheduling mandatory vehicle inspections, potentially reducing waiting times at busy branches and accommodating those who cannot take time off during working hours. This is particularly beneficial for owners of commercial vehicles, taxis, and e-hailing vehicles who depend on their vehicles for daily income and cannot afford downtime during peak business hours. The extended hours also benefit individuals in urban areas like Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, and Shah Alam, where traffic congestion often makes daytime appointments impractical.

The shift from 12-hour shifts to 8–10 hour shifts with two rest days per week is designed to improve inspector alertness and service quality. This workforce welfare consideration is critical because inspection accuracy directly impacts road safety outcomes. The consultation with NUCW and the Puspakom Staff Union indicates a structured approach to labour relations, which may set a precedent for other government-linked service providers in Malaysia.

Extended operating hours are expected to reduce congestion at Puspakom branches and provide essential scheduling flexibility for commercial vehicle operators who rely on daily vehicle usage for their livelihoods.

Who Is This For in Malaysia?

This 24-hour operation plan is designed for Malaysian vehicle owners who face scheduling conflicts with standard inspection hours, particularly commercial fleet operators, e-hailing drivers, and individuals in urban areas with demanding work schedules. The service is relevant across all states, but the impact will be most pronounced in high-vehicle-density regions such as Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor, where Puspakom branches experience higher traffic volumes. For owners of private vehicles, the extended hours reduce the need to take annual leave or unpaid time off for mandatory inspections.

Commercial transport companies operating logistics fleets will benefit from the ability to schedule inspections during off-peak hours, minimising fleet downtime. The on-site inspection expansion is particularly valuable for businesses with multiple vehicles, as it eliminates the need for individual vehicle transport to inspection centres. The tropical Malaysian climate, characterised by high humidity and frequent afternoon thunderstorms, also makes the availability of evening and early morning inspection slots a practical advantage for owners who prefer to avoid weather-related delays.

This initiative primarily serves commercial fleet operators, e-hailing drivers, and urban private vehicle owners who require flexible inspection scheduling outside standard business hours.

Common Questions

Is the 24-hour Puspakom operation confirmed for January 2027?

No, the January 2027 target is conditional. CEO Mahmood Razak Bahman stated that implementation depends on public feedback on the seven-day week starting November 2026, workforce availability, and operational capacity. Vehicle owners should monitor official Puspakom announcements for confirmation closer to the date.

What are the new working hours for Puspakom staff under this plan?

Puspakom is proposing to reduce staff shifts from 12 hours to 8–10 hours per day, and increase rest days from one to two per week. These changes are being discussed with the National Union of Commercial Workers (NUCW) and the Puspakom Staff Union to ensure reasonable working conditions.

What other services did Puspakom announce at GiCheck Auto Weekend 2026?

Puspakom announced the new Puspakom Towering Malaysian Award to recognise community contributors, and expanded on-site inspection services for customer convenience. The event also featured DUI simulations, seat belt convincer tests, and ADAS technology demonstrations as part of road safety awareness activities.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the original Malay-language report published by Careta on 5 September 2026, titled "Puspakom rancang operasi 24 jam sehari mulai 2027" (Puspakom plans 24-hour daily operations starting 2027), sourced from Bernama. The original report covered the press conference held at GiCheck Auto Weekend 2026 at AEON Bukit Tinggi, Selangor. All quotes were translated from Malay to English for this article, with the original text preserved in the blockquote for verification. No currency conversions were required as the source material contained no pricing information. This article was last updated on 5 September 2026. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the original Careta article and the Bernama wire report.