KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — The police are tipped to take over the controversial Automated Enforcement System (AES) traffic regulation scheme from the two concessionaires awarded with the contract, according to a New Straits Times (NST) report today.

The police are the likely choice as the force already has the infrastructure, experience and manpower in running its own speed trap camera system compared with the Road Transport Department (JPJ), which may not have adequate personnel or expertise to take over the operations of AES, a source told the NST.

“The overriding factor for this decision is to ensure that the system, acts as a deterrent and not to make a profit.

“It will also ensure that there are not competing parallel systems of enforcement and issuing of summonses,” the source was quoted as saying.

It was reported yesterday that the government will consider factors such as location, speed limit and legislation when it takes over the running of the AES, with JPJ director-general Datuk Ismail Ahmad saying that the government would install AES in priority areas based on a study conducted by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (Miros).

The speed and traffic light monitoring network was introduced in September 2012 but has run into public and political resistance at every step of the way, delaying its planned rollout this year.

Following questions over the legality of traffic fines issued by private firms, the Attorney-General’s Chambers also ordered the prosecution of summonses from the system to be suspended in December. But the move only exacerbated doubts over the tickets generated.

Today, the NST reported that there will be more room to fine-tune all aspects of the system including staggering the installation of cameras over a long period of time as opposed to the earlier plan to install 831 cameras within a year.

The source also said that a sub-committee headed by Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail would look into the synchronising of the AES fine which stands at a flat rate of RM300 as stipulated in the contract signed with the concessionaires, to allow discounts for offenders who settle their summonses early.

Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein is expected to make an announcement on the takeover next Wednesday, the source said.

Fourteen cameras have been installed in the Klang Valley and Perak as part of a pilot programme, with another 404 units due to be put up within the year.

So far, 673,339 summonses have been issued and the government had collected RM20 million in compounds.

The Edge had previously reported that the two concessionaires, ATES Sdn Bhd and Beta Tegap Sdn Bhd planned spend between RM300 million and RM400 million each to set up traffic cameras at 831 “black spots” nationwide.

The business financial daily predicted that half 10 million estimated valid summonses, each carrying a penalty of RM300, will be paid, resulting in a fund size of RM1.5 billion per company, amounting to RM416 million paid to each contractor.