Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Gov't firm takes over AES, fines start at RM150


The two companies that set up and operated the Automated Enforcement System (AES) will now be taken over by a company wholly owned by the government.

NONEActing Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (left) said that, to ensure transparency, an independent auditor will be appointed by the Ministry of Finance to evaluate the worth of ATES and Beta Tegap Sdn Bhd and determine the cost of the takeover.

"We would have to pay compensation, yes, because we are getting their assets, systems, and perhaps even real estate.

"But under my watch, nobody is going to profit from this," he told a press conference in Putrajaya today, allaying concerns of a possible bailout for the two companies.

He said the new company AES Solutions Sdn Bhd’s takeover of the two company’s assets and operations, and necessary legislative changes will be ready to be tabled to cabinet for finalisation by the end of the year.

Previously, the implementation of the AES sparked controversy over concerns of the privatisation of law enforcement, especially since ATES and Beta Tegap are entitled to a cut of the speeding fines imposed on motorists.

NONEHishammuddin said future AES operations, including the issuance of summons, will be done by the police, whereas the Road Transport Department will be enforcing the demerit system against errant drivers via the system.

In addition, the fines have been revised to start from RM150 and increases depending on the seriousness of the offence and if payment is delayed, as opposed to the current flat rate of RM300 for each offence.

He, however, clarified that the starting rate of RM150 for speeding fines would not be implemented until a decision has been made to deal with the backlog of AES summons and people who have already paid them.

“We want to discuss this at a higher lever (at the cabinet) because it involves a situation that is quite complex, but the most important thing is to be fair,” he said.

To a question, he told reporters that the attorney-general’s decision to suspend AES’ enforcement still stands for now.

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