SIBU: The Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to China, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, has stressed the need for car workshops in the country to embrace hi-tech services.
He said because of the advancement of technologies, traditional workshop owners who failed to keep up would fall behind because their customers would look for updated services.
“Not only that, customers will also expect them to keep up with the workshop environment that is spick and span, and with mechanics who are properly trained for better service quality,” he added.
But he was happy to note that a lot of their services have in fact already been computerised in terms of operations and tests.
He said digital technology would enable workshops to troubleshoot problems with vehicles more quickly, thus allow mechanics to carry out repair work promptly.
Tiong made these observations while witnessing the installation of the Sibu Automobile Repairers (SARA) new committee for the 2022-2024 term, at Kingwood hotel here on Saturday night.
Councillor Teo Nging Poh was re-installed as the association’s chief for the next two years.
Tiong, who is also Dudong assemblyman suggested that the owners of workshops collaborate on going hi-tech for greater efficiency.
He said each owner could ship in the equipment for different functions to improve their standard of services.
This will help them focus on specialisations and split their cost of operation, he said.
“This is akin to the various medical fields where medical practitioners can focus on their specialised fields.”
However, Tiong noted that youths these days were reluctant to become car mechanics because they did not want to work in a hot environment and get their hands dirtied and oily.
“But, the reality is, there is a great future in auto services and it is worthwhile for our youth.
“This is because the number of cars on the road is increasing sharply,” he pointed out.
He also pointed out that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SARA and Sarawak Skills Development Centre would further upgrade the mechanic trade in Sarawak and promote the profession among the youth.
He later announced a grant of RM30,000 for the association.
Among those present were President of The Federation of Automobile Workshop Owners (FAWOAM), Khor Kong Siah, Sibu MP, Oscar Ling Chai Yew, and Executive Director of the Sarawak Skills Group of Learning Institutions, Hallman Sabri who is also the chairman of Federation of Malaysian Skills Development Centres.
