The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) has urged the authorities to stop offering discounts for traffic summonses, including the recently announced 70 percent off on summonses available from Nov 1 to Dec 30.
Its president Mohideen Abdul Kader claimed that such offers are a "mockery of the law and severely undermine the credibility of enforcement agencies."
"By repeatedly granting large discounts to traffic offenders, the authorities send a dangerous message that breaking the law carries little real consequence and that offenders can simply wait for the next round of discounts to settle their dues at a fraction of the original penalty," he said in a statement today.
Mohideen added that this approach would not only erode respect for the law but also compromise road safety.
"Traffic regulations exist to protect lives, prevent accidents, and promote responsible driving. Offering periodic leniency to violators contradicts these goals and diminishes the deterrent effect of enforcement.
"Law-abiding motorists who follow traffic rules and pay their summons promptly are unfairly treated when habitual offenders are rewarded with discounts. Such inconsistency discourages compliance and fosters a culture of irresponsibility among road users," he said.
Mohideen also called on the police and the Road Transport Department (RTD) to focus on strengthening enforcement and take prompt action against offenders.
'Less you delay, less you pay'
In a joint press conference last week, Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the year-end discount will be the last of its kind to incentivise Malaysians to settle their fines before a new policy under the tagline, “the less you delay, the less you pay,” takes off on Jan 1 next year.
“Between 2022 and 2025, police have managed to collect a total of RM640 million in traffic fines. However, from what the cabinet has observed, people often choose to wait until the last minute, or whenever discount offers are in place, before they decide to pay.
“So, starting from next year, whoever chooses to pay earlier will get discounts. If you choose to do so later, then there will be consequences,” Saifuddin said.
Loke added that the existing provision of discounts being offered only during specific periods has been unfair to those who choose to pay their fines on time.
They explained that the new regulations will be a singular system, to prevent inconsistencies under existing procedures, where drivers can be fined by the police and the RTD. - Mkini
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