AES system won't be scrapped despite freeze

NOT A SCHEME TO MAKE MONEY- Cabinet to look into results of study by A-G's Chambers and RTD on all issues

KUALA LUMPUR: THE cabinet has directed the Attorney-General's Chambers and the Road Transport Department to thoroughly address all issues surrounding the Automated Enforcement System (AES).

Top in the list of priorities for the two parties are:

TO ensure that measures put in place are in the spirit of protecting the people's interests;

TO ensure that nobody is victimised; and,

TO ensure that there will be no legal backlash in its implementation.

Sources said the directive followed Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail's briefing to the cabinet on contentious issues related to AES and the chamber's decision on Tuesday to freeze all court proceedings on summonses under the system.

Gani, in his statement on the freeze, had said the decision stemmed from concerns over matters related to "law and other technicalities" and they had to address them, with a decision to be made "within the next few days". But he maintained that summonses issued by RTD were valid.

A source said the chambers and RTD were also told to ensure that the people fully understood how the system worked.

"There have been a lot of misconceptions on how AES works as several parties have been politicising the issue.

"Many do not know that while the enforcement system was privatised to save the government from incurring costs, the decision to proceed with summonses lies solely with RTD and no one else.

"It is not a money-making mechanism but a system to promote a safer driving habit among Malaysians.

"Most people, including law-abiding drivers and those whose families and friends have died due to reckless driving, all support this system," said the source, adding that the cabinet had not set any deadline for the chambers and RTD to address all issues.

On talk that the AES system would be scrapped, another source said this would not happen.

"The fact is that this system is used by 90 countries and they have seen positive results from its implementation.

"At the end of the day, everyone wants Malaysian roads to be safe, at least for the sake of their loved ones. So, why resist the very move that could help us get there?"

The cabinet, the source said, would look at the result of the study by the chambers and RTD into various issues before deciding on the next course of action. Among the issues discussed was the enforcement side.

Under the project, 831 AES cameras would be set up all over the country in stages. Fourteen such cameras have been operational since Sept 23. They are located in hot spots or accident-prone areas in the Klang Valley and Perak.

The implementation of the system had drawn mixed reactions, with one party supporting the effort to reduce accidents and fatalities, and the other against it.

The number of traffic offences committed at the 14 locations has plunged drastically since the day the cameras were set up.

- New Straits Times