PETALING JAYA: MCA Youth has demanded Transport Minister Anthony Loke (pic) apologise for allegedly making a "foolish" and "wrong" decision by cancelling all Automated Enforcement System (AES) summonses.

In a statement Sunday, MCA Youth secretary-general Datuk Leong Kim Soon said traffic offenders should be penalised.

“Sadly, the Pakatan Harapan Government and law enforcement authorities are not facing real problems at hand, or deploying an effective method to lower accident rates.

Leong claimed that the Government’s move to cancel all AES summonses issued before Aug 31, meant that motorists have up to two weeks of “anarchy honeymoon”.

“Does this mean that with the start of school holidays leading to Hari Merdeka, drivers caught speeding or beating a red light are let off scot-free?" he questioned.

Leong claimed that the announcement made by Loke could lead to higher accident rates in Malaysia, adding that certain motorists are reckless and prone to accidents.

“Thus having speed limits or fines are a necessary deterrent. What purpose therefore does Loke’s decision serve by cancelling all fines?

“Traffic offenders should be penalised and made to shoulder responsibility for their actions. It is obvious that the cancellation of all AES summonses is to satisfy the public and to encourage road users to breach the law.”

Leong labelled Loke’s move as irresponsible, as his portfolio as a Transport Minister includes road safety.

“Clearly, this decision is a populist move and not thought out in detail. It only serves to win the hearts of the public.

“The Transport Minister under Barisan Nasional had identified and installed AES at sites prone to motor vehicle accidents in order to reduce the rate of traffic accidents.”

“But now the Pakatan Harapan Government made a u-turn on the previous Barisan effort. This announcement only encourages motorists to break the law,” he added.

On Friday (Aug 18), Loke said the Government will write off more than 3.1 million in unpaid summonses worth about RM435mil.

-The Star-