'AES provider can't install cameras indiscriminately'

Dismissing claims by certain parties on the matter, Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha emphasised today that the Automatic Enforcement System (AES) provider was not authorised to install the camera system indiscriminately.        

"The police have identified and suggested certain places based on accident data. These will be studied by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research before we decide where the cameras are to be installed," he told reporters after closing the 1Community 1Department Road Transport Department programme, at Dewan Merdeka Manjung, Seri Manjung today.       

He added that since the AES system was installed at 14 locations since September, some places had recorded a dramatic reduction in speeding and beating red lights.       

"What's more important is that the AES be implemented nationwide in order for us to see its effectiveness. At the moment there are only 14 locations so it's too early to say if it is effective. And it's not fair to expect a miracle," he said.       

Kong said the rate of accidents in Malaysia was still high compared to other Southeast Asian countries due to a large population and the high number of vehicles registered, at 23 million.         
On a separate development, Kong criticised Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, claiming he was not cooperating with the federal government on the Tanjung City Marina and Swettenham Pier projects.        

He further claimed that many matters could not be resolved due to the state government's actions and Lim's statement on the two projects were not true.        

Former chairman of Penang Port Commission Tan Cheng Liang reportedly said Lim had declined the commission's application to renew its land title, six months after taking over the state's administration in 2008.       

The report also claimed that the international cruise ship terminal, Swettenham Pier was not issued a full Occupational Certificate by the Penang Municipal Council.         

- Bernama