Lawmakers must abide by traffic laws they enact

MCA's Lua Choon Hann says an offence is an offence and disagrees with deputy home minister’s statement that government vehicles be exempted from paying traffic fines.

PETALING JAYA: Cabinet members are national leaders who are obliged to abide by the law as well as lead by example, MCA Central Committee Member Lua Choon Hann said.

“Moreover, the lawmakers themselves should be even more conscious in upholding the laws that they enacted and agreed upon,” he said in a press statement.

This came in response to a statement by Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohammed yesterday that government vehicles on official business might be exempted from paying traffic summonses.

In disagreeing with the Pulai lawmaker, Lua stressed that an offence was an offence, regardless of “the type of vehicle, the occasion and whoever was driving it”.

Lua also noted that there had been regular reports by the media regarding government official cars being frequently involved in accidents, as drivers often drove above the speed limit in order to race against time.

Speeding, he noted, not only endangered the driver and the passengers, but also threatened the safety of other road users.

Although Lau acknowledged that ministers had busy schedules, it was up to them to plan ahead, be time conscious and avoid speeding.

“Rushing for official functions is never a good excuse. As public figures, they are the role model for citizens. They should be more disciplined, punctual and observe traffic rules.”