MPSP [Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai] pula kata NO pada EAS

FALLIBLE: The council's committee members have questioned the effectiveness and synchronisation of the cameras

IN what could turn out to be a landmark decision, the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) said it would not allow the Road Transport Department's (RTD) proposal to install the Automated Enforcement System (AES) cameras in areas under its jurisdiction.

The decision was taken by the council's infrastructure and traffic management committee meeting yesterday.

MPSP has now become the first municipal council in the country to disallow AES cameras.

RTD director-general Datuk Solah Mat Hassan had on Sept 22 announced that in phase one, a total of 14 cameras were installed in Perak, Selangor, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur. Under phase II he said 817 more cameras would be installed at 817 blackspots nationwide in a move by the government to reduce the number of road fatalities.

Committee alternate chairman Teoh Seang Hooi said the committee felt that there are weaknesses in the AES system.

"We feel it is unfair to motorists and they have no avenues to appeal against their summonses.”

Teoh said the move is inline with the state executive council's decision recently to object the implementation of the AES in Penang.


Committee member Dr Tiun Ling Ta questioned the effectiveness and synchronisation of the cameras and the fact that the government failed to seek the public's view on the matter before implementing the system.

Penang RTD director Datuk Hassan Yaccob, when contacted, expressed surprise over the decision, saying that the department had submitted a proposal to the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) and were waiting for the go-ahead to brief them on the matter.

The department had plans to submit a similar proposal to MPSP as well.

"But it is best that the Transport Ministry comments further on the matter," he said.