PETALING JAYA: The cancellation of unpaid Automated Enforcement System (AES) summonses is a joy to those caught on camera speeding but concerns are being raised as to whether the move will hurt the government’s finances.

“Can the already strained national Budget afford to forgo the RM435mil?” asked Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute Centre of Public Policy chairman Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam.

“Why forego precious revenue and aggravate the deficit for no good reason?

“Please just go and collect the fines and teach the bad drivers a good lesson,” he said, describing the cancellation as a “bad precedent” as errant drivers may not take summonses and fines seriously next time.

“There must be a good reason if we need to give up such revenue (from summonses). So much revenue could be used to improve our roads and traffic system to ensure better and safer roads for everyone,” he said.

Meanwhile, MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong criticised Pakatan Harapan for flip-flopping on its stand on AES with two of its component parties strongly opposed to it before taking office.

He said PKR and DAP had always wanted to abolish AES, claiming that it is cruel and being used as a tool to get more money from the people.

Dr Wee said Lim Guan Eng, who was formerly Penang chief minister, had banned AES from being implemented in the state and insisted that AES should not only be abolished but all fines that were paid should be refunded.

“I am surprised that the Pakatan government have now decided to continue with the AES system and even said that there will no longer be any discounts on the AES unlike what the Barisan Nasional administration had done. Isn’t this more cruel?

“I have no problems with the cancellation of the summonses. However, you must be fair to all. If you want to forgive those who have not paid, you should refund those who have paid.

“Lim who is now Finance Minister should keep his word. He is certainly in a position to push for this,” he said in a yesterday.

Dr Wee said the Government must not be seen as sending out the message that responsible and law-abiding citizens are punished while those who are errant will be rewarded.

He also took a swipe at Pakatan leaders claiming that some of them who were exposed in previous years for having thousands of ringgit in outstanding summonses would be rejoicing now that it has been waived.

Consumers Association of Penang president S.M. Mohamed Idris said discounts for the traffic summonses would suffice, rather than cancellation.

“It’s not a good move. Drivers already made the mistake and they have to pay for the fine. Speeding is not a game.

“What about the amount and time spent to maintain the AES cameras and the cost to send the summonses to the drivers?” he said, adding that this was not the way to educate drivers to be extra careful on the road.

Malaysian Automotive Associa­tion president Datuk Aishah Ahmad, however, described the cancellation as a good deed by the new administration and a relief for many drivers.

Malaysian Public Transport Users Association president Ajit Johl said the issue with AES has always been about its summonses, especially in terms of its legality and the issues plaguing it.

“It is good that the new Government wants to start every­thing on a clean slate and means business now.

“Looking forward, we also hope the Government can raise the fines for the (speeding) offence,” he said, adding that it is happy to note that the Transport Minister Anthony Loke has taken the initiative to implement stricter enforcement on the road.