The saman ekor controversy

Unsettled traffic summonses have accumulated up to 17 million in nine years, and the government is facing difficulties in resolving the issue, as the old summonses are snowballing with new summonses fast increasing.

Among the 13 million driving licence holders, at least 10 per cent of them are repeat traffic violation offenders. As they never change their reckless driving attitude, their vehicles have become life-threatening weapons.

The government decided in May 2010 not to offer discount for summonses to show its tough stand, but the grassroots politicians intervened by asking it to show understanding for the people.

The Anti-Saman Ekor Campaign (KASE) task force set up by PAS urged the Road Transport Department (RTD) to stop blacklisting vehicle owners for failing to settle saman ekor (traffic summonses issued for traffic offences caught on camera) issued by the police.

KASE chairman Mahfuz Omar believed that the saman ekor could encourage corruption and abuse of power and it was also against the Federal Constitution.

After a meeting with representatives from 14 bus and taxi associations on the issue, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin also urged the government to scrap the saman ekor policy.

Khairy said that the policy was unfair to motorists who were not given a chance to defend themselves.

In addition, some people also urged the chief secretary to the government to resign as they were not given discount for summonses.

Both the ruling and opposition parties are opposing the saman ekor policy as it is unfair.

For example, some people might use false license plates and caused innocents to be fined. The summons notifications are sent to vehicle owners and companies only after three or four months and it might cause them difficulties to identify the drivers. Also, there is a possibility of detection equipment and man-made technical errors.

But Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha believes that issuing summonses on the spot can invite bribery and power abuse more easily compared to the saman ekor.

If the government scraps the saman ekor policy because of political pressure, it must come out with a better enforcement and clearly define the saman ekor. Summonses issued based on speed trap detectors installed along highways are saman ekor. Are parking summonses tucked underneath the windscreen wipers considered saman ekor too?

If they have to issue summonses to traffic offenders on the spot, based on the current law enforcement capability of Malaysia, they would have to set up road blocks, which are very likely to cause traffic jams. Also, they may not be able to have Operasi Sikap.

Instead of wasting time arguing, it is better to learn from foreign countries and overcome their weaknesses, so that their credibility can be improved and the people will be convinced that the saman ekor policy will be properly implemented without involving fraud.

In Taiwan, warning notice board will be placed 500 metres before speed traps, police cars will be parked in conspicuous places and patrols will be strengthened at dangerous sections. Their objective is to promote road safety, instead of “earning money”.

The saman ekor must be issued quickly and a task force must be set up to investigate the people’s complaints over unreasonable summonses, just like Hong Kong people can complain to the Central Traffic Prosecutions Division or through online.

As long as there is a controversy, the saman ekor policy should be suspended and just let the police to openly issue summonses during the transition period.



comments


May be the PRU13 will setlle all these non-sense ?

I can accept saman ekor provided police put on its website the photos of traffic offenders for owners to counter check. the accesstothis site shouldbe simple. With clear shots of offenders number plates with date and time printed on the photo ,there's no excuse not to pay the summons. Currently,those who dispute saman ekor have to to pay RM10 at traffic police station just to check the photos. A waste of time which contradicts police motto of "cepat dan tepat"..what say u police!!!

Recently I received a summon RM300 for a traffic offence I had committed 3 year ago. I had never received a summon either stuck on my windscreen or letter in the post. All I had was, there was an outstanding summon. I only found that out when the car owner, who happens to be my sibling tried to renew the annual car registration, eventhough I have been the only person driving the vehicle. I would like to settle the fine but, why it takes 3 years? How come I didnt receive the summon on my windscreen, in person or by post?

This has got nothing to do with promoting road safety other than to generate revenue, worst than Alongs. At least Ah Longs will give you an opportunity to explain, but not Saman Ekor