Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook recently took to his official social media pages to answer several criticisms and ‘burning questions’ his Ministry received from the public.
These include how he previously objected to the Automated Enforcement System (AES) cameras, which has since been upgraded to the Automated Awareness Safety System (AWAS), but now fully supports them.
Loke revealed why he previously objected to AES but now fully supports AWAS
Regarding AES, Loke said that he previously objected to its enforcement because before he was appointed Transport Minister for the first time in 2018, the system was implemented by a private company and for every summons issued, a percentage of the revenue would be channelled to the company.
Hence, he objected to the previous AES model as the private company treated the system as if it were a business.
Loke elaborated that under the model, the private company will generate more profit with more summonses being issued, with up to 50% of the revenue collected being channelled to the private company.
He then revealed,
“That was the previous agreement. But when we became the Government in 2018, firstly, don’t forget, I cancelled 4 million AES summonses at once. But I said, the Government will take over the cameras to enforce the laws by the Road Transport Department (JPJ).”
AWAS is meant to save lives on the road, not to generate profit
Loke then denied allegations that the Government installed AWAS cameras to generate profit, saying that the difference between the system from what it was pre-2018 is that now, the system was not meant to collect summonses but to deter speeding on the road.
The Transport Minister revealed that a third of road accidents happened in Malaysia due to drivers losing control of their vehicles.
Loke stressed,
“Hence, that’s why reducing speed can reduce the risks of accidents. We must think about ourselves, our families and other road users… Our role as the Government, as the Transport Minister, is to ensure the roads are safe.”
The Transport Minister added that he knows many are scolding him for the enforcement of AWAS but stressed that if his side didn’t dare to make decisions, there wouldn’t be any needed changes to ensure the safety of Malaysian roads and accordingly, to save lives on the road.
Watch the full video here:
So, what do you guys think of Loke’s statement? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Also read: “No more only slowing down near cameras” – Anthony Loke Announces New & Improved Speed Traps
