KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — All permanent staff from the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) will resume normal duties even after the agency is dissolved, Minister of Transport Anthony Loke guaranteed today amid workers’ concerns about their future.

Loke said SPAD operations will continue as normal, but will be managed directly by his ministry.

“I give you my guarantee that no permanent SPAD staff will lose their jobs,” the DAP leader said in a statement issued today.

“I would also like to state that all SPAD operations will continue as normal, only that it would be managed directly by the MoT.”

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Loke’s first major policy move after he took office was to dissolve the commission, which Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad officially announced on Wednesday.

SPAD’s dissolution was seen as among a slew of actions taken to trim down government spending. Dr Mahathir also announced the shutdown of several other agencies.

The move gave rise to concerns that thousands of civil servants would lose their jobs, but the government later clarified that permanent staff from the axed agencies will be “absorbed” into the respective ministries.

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Meanwhile Loke said his main focus as transport minister will be to empower land public transport.

The Seremban MP is also expected to act tough on corruption with policies aimed at weeding out systems prone to abuse.

Among the immediate plans are to make the bidding process for plate numbers online and to automate driving licence applications. MoT will also no longer issue special number plates for vehicles from non-governmant agencies.

Loke expressed concern about suspected corruption in the licence application process and also on safety issue, noting the large number of youths aged 16 to 20 involved in lethal accidents.

“At the same time I would also like to ask for public input on the age threshold for driving licences application,” Loke said.

“Any views and feedback can be registered at all social media accounts of MoT,” the DAP leader added.