A NEW agency will take over the duties of the recently abolished Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

The Public Transportation Agency (Agensi Pengangkutan Awam Darat or APAD) will be in charge of planning and development of public transport.

“In terms of enforcement and approval of licence and permit, it will be handled by JPJ (Road Transport Department),” Loke said today.

APAD, Loke said, will have a director-general instead of commissioner, a post most likely to be filled by the current SPAD chief executive.

“Of course, SPAD’s (CEO) Azharuddin (Mat Sah) will be suggested (for the new position),” Loke said.

Loke added that for now, it is business as usual at SPAD until the three laws which affect its integration to the ministry is tabled in the next parliamentary sitting.

“This involves three laws, the Land Public Transport Commission Act, which will be abolished. The Public Land Transport Act will be amended to cater for the integration and the Road Transport Act will be amended to give power to JPJ.”

Loke previously said the 327 enforcement officers from SPAD will be integrated into RTD. – June 6, 2018.