KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 — Registration and contribution to the Self-Employed Social Security Scheme (SKSPS), will be made compulsory for those applying to renew their vocational licence for them to be put under the self-employed category.

This is in line with the Road Transport Bill (Amendment) 2023 that was passed after a debate by 12 Senators at Dewan Negara today.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah said it would involve self-employed public service vehicles (PSV) and goods vehicle licence (GDL) holders comprising taxi drivers, e-hailing, p-hailing, bus drivers and goods vehicle drivers.

"Members of the group can make their contributions through the website or contact Socso (Social Security Organisation) directly,” he said in the ministry’s winding-up speech.

Hasbi said the Road Transport Bill (Amendment) 2023 is aimed at amending the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) involving 13 Clauses.

He said the amendment also involves Clause Six of Section 56 which stipulates the granting of vocational licences only to individuals who have a fully competent driver’s licence other than Clause Seven, Section 57 which requires all tour bus drivers to have a vocational licence.

Meanwhile, Hasbi said when the amendments to the bill are gazetted, the preparation of the new RTD officers’ uniforms will have certain security features to ensure that they are not easily replicated and subsequently abused.

The specifications of the uniform of Road Transport Department (RTD) officers will be set under subsidiary legislation, and the specifications of the uniforms of RTD officers will also be regulated through the legislation.

"God willing, certain safety features which can distinguish the original and fake will be incorporated in the new uniform,” he said.

Therefore, he said any party found to have copied the uniform is committing an offence and action can be taken against them. — Bernama