Bill to increase traffic fines from RM300 to RM1,000 withdrawn

The Road Transport (Amendment) Bill which proposes compounds for traffic summonses to be increased from RM300 to RM1,000, will be withdrawn.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abd Aziz confirmed that the bill, which had been tabled for first reading in Dewan Rakyat on Monday and scheduled to be debated in a day or two, will be withdrawn.

"The bill will be re-tabled in the Parliament meeting in June," he said, adding that he would have to explain to the Cabinet about the withdrawal of the bill, which has a total of 51 amendments.

Two other proposals - increasing the minimum age to apply for a motorcycle licence from 16 to 17 years and for only the Director-General of Road Transport to assign a number plate, will also be dropped.

He said the backbenchers had written to him, saying that the three proposed amendments were "not people-friendly."

Nazri also said the RM1,000 proposed fine was deemed too harsh for the lower income group and the increase in mininum age of driving licence for motorcycle might affect students in rural areas, where motorcycle is their mode of transport to attend school.

The proposed amendment on car number plate to be assigned only by Road Transport may not be able to solve problems of forged number plate as well, he said.

Asked whether the u-turn on the bill was related to Hulu Selangor by-election, Nazri said it was not in his mind at all when he made the decision.

Backbenchers club deputy chairman Datuk Bung Moktar Radin said the MPs spent two days with Road Transport Department, Transport Ministry and other agencies to discuss about the proposed amendment.

He said discussions with them would continue in order to have a people-friendly bill.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng also questioned the Government's move to increase the traffic offence fine from the present RM300 to RM1,000.

The Bagan MP added the authorities should have concentrated more on enforcement and education for motorists instead of imposing higher fines.

"This bill was hastily passed without proper discussion in Parliament.

"It should be withdrawn and brought to a select parliament committee for further discussion.

"The authorities should have looked into the problem of lack of enforcement instead of increasing the fines.

"Many people have complained to me that the fines are excessive and the amount is more than they can afford," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.