Speeding summonses issued to two super-luxury sports cars caught on Automated Enforcement System (AES) cameras have vanished from the Road Transport Department (RTD) record, raising questions as to whether they were intentionally deleted.
Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching (left) pointed to reports in Chinese newspapers last November that a Maserati GranTurismo and a bright red Ferrari were caught speeding at 268kph and 243kph respectively by AES, just over one month after the implementation of this new traffic offence system.
The reports even quoted RTD assistant director (enforcement) Ahmad Nasir Abdul Gani as saying that the two sports cars were unmistakably caught by the AES cameras, moving at breakneck speeds.
However, a parliamentary written reply from the transport minister to a question raised by Teo said the AES record lists no such cases.
Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching (left) pointed to reports in Chinese newspapers last November that a Maserati GranTurismo and a bright red Ferrari were caught speeding at 268kph and 243kph respectively by AES, just over one month after the implementation of this new traffic offence system.The reports even quoted RTD assistant director (enforcement) Ahmad Nasir Abdul Gani as saying that the two sports cars were unmistakably caught by the AES cameras, moving at breakneck speeds.
However, a parliamentary written reply from the transport minister to a question raised by Teo said the AES record lists no such cases.
Is RTD capable of keeping correct records?
"So, my first question is whether the RTD is capable of keeping a correct record on the AES? An RTD assistant director was quoted, yet the transport minister now claims that there was no such record. Was the record deleted for some unknown reasons?
"Or perhaps, the story of the Maserati and Ferrari was fabricated to justify the implementation of AES?
"The implementation of AES never received a warm welcome from the general public. Could the story have been created to add weight to its implementation?" asked the DAP lawmaker.
Nevertheless, the minister's written answer had confirmed that AES cameras captured a Nissan GTR being driven at 238kph and that a summons had been issued under Section 79(2) of the Road Transport Act.
This, said Teo, raised another question as to why Section 43 of the same Act, which punishes 'careless and inconsiderate driving' with a higher amount of fine and jail sentence, was not used against the offender.
Instead the authority chose to invoke Section 79, which deals with 'neglect of traffic directions and signs', for which the maximum fine is RM500.
"For those who can afford a Nissan GTR, Maserati or Ferrari (left), a fine of RM500 is not going to deter them from driving on the road at dangerous speeds.
"That's why I suggest that these drivers be charged under Section 43 of the Act," Teo said.
She went on to question whether the 'real intention' of the AES, was to "reduce road fatalities and accidents or to squeeze the rakyat's pocket in order to enrich political cronies and the government"
"So, my first question is whether the RTD is capable of keeping a correct record on the AES? An RTD assistant director was quoted, yet the transport minister now claims that there was no such record. Was the record deleted for some unknown reasons?
"Or perhaps, the story of the Maserati and Ferrari was fabricated to justify the implementation of AES?"The implementation of AES never received a warm welcome from the general public. Could the story have been created to add weight to its implementation?" asked the DAP lawmaker.
Nevertheless, the minister's written answer had confirmed that AES cameras captured a Nissan GTR being driven at 238kph and that a summons had been issued under Section 79(2) of the Road Transport Act.
This, said Teo, raised another question as to why Section 43 of the same Act, which punishes 'careless and inconsiderate driving' with a higher amount of fine and jail sentence, was not used against the offender.
Instead the authority chose to invoke Section 79, which deals with 'neglect of traffic directions and signs', for which the maximum fine is RM500."For those who can afford a Nissan GTR, Maserati or Ferrari (left), a fine of RM500 is not going to deter them from driving on the road at dangerous speeds.
"That's why I suggest that these drivers be charged under Section 43 of the Act," Teo said.
She went on to question whether the 'real intention' of the AES, was to "reduce road fatalities and accidents or to squeeze the rakyat's pocket in order to enrich political cronies and the government"
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