KUALA LUMPUR: A decision on the implementation of the automated driving test or “e-testing” will be made by the end of this month, says Datuk Henry Sum Agong.

       "At the moment, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) is evaluating the system which was developed by several companies,” he said.

       "The evaluation report on the proof of concept (POC) for the system is expected to be submitted to the Transport Ministry by the end of March," added the Deputy Transport Minister when replying to a question raised by Anthony Loke (PH-Seremban) in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (March 9).

       At the moment, he said that his ministry was in the process of validating the POC for the proposed system. A total of four companies had applied and have been given the approval to conduct the POC,” said Sum.

       "The successful company at the POC evaluation phase will be offered to carry out a pilot project for a specific period before the system is implemented nationwide in phases," he added.

       He said the evaluation phase will be conducted between Feb 9 and March 21 at driving institutes in Johor, Penang and Sungai Buloh and Hulu Langat in Selangor.

       Meanwhile, Loke urged the ministry to remain committed to implementing the e-testing as it was first mooted over two years ago.

       He also suggested that the ministry allow all driving institutes to conduct the road regulations theory test.

       At the moment, those sitting for the test have to do it elsewhere instead of at their respective driving institutes because it was managed by MyEG.

       It was reported in January that JPJ director-general Datuk Zailani Hashim said that e-testing would likely be launched this coming April.