CORONAVIRUS | The Transport Ministry has no plan to bar cruise ships from entering the country following the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection.

Its minister Anthony Loke (above) said the move would only be made after receiving a recommendation from the Health Ministry based on certain evidence.

“We have only barred Chinese citizens from the Hubei region or any region that the Chinese government has declared a lockdown," he said after officiating the renewal service of Motor Vehicle Licence (LKM) at the computerised vehicle inspection company Puspakom.

In the meantime, he said, the government has implemented all precautionary measures including health screenings to check body temperature and health status of tourists at the country’s entry points.

Meanwhile, Loke, in his speech, said his ministry has agreed to approve the implementation of the LKM renewal service at Puspakom which will provide additional value to Puspakom customers and the public.

“This is a government approach to facilitate the public in all matters relating to government services at the Road Transport Department (RTD). This additional service at Puspakom will make it easier for vehicle owners and operators to deal with LKM renewal,” he said.

He pointed out that Puspakom has been appointed as a government revenue agent in overseeing LKM renewal at 54 inspection centres nationwide.

He also said that the initiative began with the renewal of LKM for light commercial vehicles with the maximum permissible laden weight at 7.5 tonnes and below, and will be extended to other vehicle categories in the future.

Apart from vehicle inspections, Puspakom also offers insurance renewal services since 2018, via its one-stop centre concept, to facilitate the public in matters pertaining to vehicle ownership.

- Bernama