Why is AES a national secret, MP asks

Lim Lip Eng has lashed out at acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, questioning why the Automated Enforcement System (AES) is a “national secret”.

Lim was referring to Hishammuddin’s announcement yesterday that the government was planning to take over the AES from the two private companies running it and that compensation may be paid.

Lim (left) told reporters today, “I think all Malaysians will want to know how much compensation will be paid to the two companies and what the terms of the original agreement were.

“I raised the question in Parliament last month and the minster replied that the documents were classified and secret.

“This is about the installation of cameras by the roadside and he says this is a national secret. So secret that even MPs can’t know about it?” the Segambut MP asked.

The AES was set up last September and concessionaires were given to Tegap Sdn Bhd and Ates Sgn Bhd to operate the AES road-side speed cameras nationwide.

Lim said that he would raise the issue again in the coming Parliament session and that it was up to Hishammuddin (right) to come clean on the deal.

“I will ask the acting transport minister to come clean, disclose to the public what actually transpired, and what compensation will be awarded to the companies.

“The Najib (Abdul Razak) government’s transformation programme has ceased to transform, it is dead in this AES project,” Lip Eng added.