Each AWAS camera costs RM112,800 annually to maintain

 Transport minister Loke Siew Fook says the cost covers preventive maintenance, repairs, and periodic calibration.

An MP had asked transport minister Loke Siew Fook to justify the maintenance cost of the Automated Awareness Safety System, claiming it averaged RM337,000 per unit.

PETALING JAYA:

The transport ministry says it costs about RM112,800 a year to maintain each unit of Automated Awareness Safety System (AWAS) cameras.

In a written parliamentary reply, minister Loke Siew Fook said the cost covered preventive maintenance, repairs, and periodic calibration.

“However, the total cost commonly cited also includes other centrally shared components under related contracts to ensure that the system operates continuously, safely, and effectively,” he said.

Loke was responding to Shaharizukirnain Abdul Kadir (PN-Setiu) who asked for justification for the maintenance cost, which he claimed averaged RM337,000 per unit.

Shaharizukirnain also asked about the extent to which the ministry planned to conduct an independent audit to assess the return on investment of AWAS, given its high maintenance expenditure.

Loke said the effectiveness of the system was not assessed based on financial returns alone.

“It also takes into account its impact on road safety and the level of compliance with traffic laws among road users,” he said.

He said one key indicator of the system’s effectiveness was the increase in the perception of being caught – the perceived likelihood of being detected and penalised – which was recorded at more than 90% at camera locations.

In August last year, Loke said about RM15 million was spent annually to maintain the AWAS system, covering the servicing and maintenance of the cameras and back-office system, as well as the printing of AWAS summonses.

In January 2025, Infomina Bhd secured a three-year contract worth RM22.35 million from the road transport department to provide maintenance and support for AWAS. - FMT