KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — Selangor has the highest number of outstanding arrest warrants for traffic offences in the country, making up more than 25 per cent or 441,000 of the 1.75 million warrants.

Kuala Lumpur is next with 261,000 warrants, followed by Penang (215,000), Perak (146,000) and Negri Sembilan (108,000).

Bukit Aman traffic police chief SAC Mohd Fuad Abd Latiff said 16,486 arrest warrants were settled from from June 16 to 27 under Ops Warta Khas, which cracked down on traffic offenders with outstanding arrest warrants.

“Since Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar’s revelation in February that there were 1.9 million arrest warrants still uncleared, people have been rushing to pay their outstanding traffic summonses.

“So far, 250,000 have been cleared,” said Fuad.

He said during the 12-day operation, the number of summonses paid increased by 93 per cent compared to the week before.

“Twelve days before the operation, only 63,933 summonses were paid but during the operation, 123,193 traffic offenders settled their payments.”

Fuad said those arrested in the operation were asked to settle their outstanding summonses and those who couldn’t were brought to court to face possibly stiffer penalties.

According to Fuad, the operation would not stop and would be carried out from time to time until all summonses were settled.

“Some 1.75 million warrants are still a high number, and everyday, at least one arrest warrant is issued by the court.

“We are asking offenders to be responsible Malaysians and pay-up,” he said.

He explained there were two types of summonses — by camera and in person. In the case of summonses by camera, the summons is issued according to a vehicle’s registration number.

“We give the offenders a grace period to either pay the summons or contest it in court.

“But if they don’t do either of this even after being summoned to court, the arrest warrant will be issued,” said Fuad.

He said every offender’s record was stored in the police’s system and would not get deleted until they had paid the summonses.

Fuad said Ops Selamat was expected to be held from July 17 until after Hari Raya.

“This operation is aimed at ensuring a smooth and safe journey for the millions of people travelling to and from their hometowns.”