PETALING JAYA, Aug 3 ― Putrajaya is set to reassess the controversial Automated Enforcement System (AES) traffic regulation scheme after the Aidilfitiri holidays following a “deluge” of grievances from the public, Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said yesterday.
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 public outcry, 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.
“The issues must be solved soon because the ministry has been deluged with public complaints as the issuance of summons and summons collection are allegedly done by a third party,” Hishammuddin was quoted as saying by national news agency Bernama yesterday.
According to the minister, most of the complaints surrounded the fact that the system was being operated by two private firms, adding that complaints on the AES itself were in the minority.
“It is now clear that it’s not about the system,” he was quoted as saying by The Star.
Despite the announcement, however, Hishammuddin pointed out that enforcement via the camera network that captures speeding motorists and traffic light offenders will continue until the announcement is made.
“I am told that the conventional speed trap by the traffic police would also go on as usual. Hence, I appeal to all road users to obey all traffic signs and observe the speed limits,” he said further in The Star report.
In June, Hishammuddin revealed in Parliament that a total of 673,339 summonses against traffic offenders caught under the AES have already been issued by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) as at June 11.
Last month, Datuk Hisham Nordin, the director of the government’s National Key Result Areas (NKRA) against Corruption, came out to defend ATES Sdn Bhd and Beta Tegap Sdn Bhd — the two firms awarded the contract to build and operate the AES — against allegations of cronyism.
The prosecution of summonses generated from the AES was suspended by the A-G’s Chambers following questions raised over the authority of a private entity to issue speeding tickets to motorists.
Critics also questioned the wisdom of privatising law enforcement to profit-minded businesses, fearing that system may be abused to produce greater revenue for its operators.
So far, 14 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.
