The silent majority supports the Automated Enforcement System (AES), Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said today, accusing Pakatan Rakyat (PR) of being the only detractors of the controversial nationwide camera system aimed at traffic offenders.
Kong also said he was puzzled by allegations that the AES targeted areas with low income earners.
“I think the silent majority is with us, we have also received a lot of good write ups and comments about the AES,” he told reporters after opening Wanita MCA’s 37th annual general meeting here today.
When asked about allegations that the system was rushed, Kong said the government has been looking at the AES proposal since 2003.
“Is it too rushed? It has been almost ten years ago today,” he said, adding that this was done before his time.
The minister added nine companies had submitted their tenders and took part in 2006, with seven companies even holding live demonstrations of their proposed systems.
“The selection committee, I am told, included the police, the treasury, members of the Attorney-General’s Chambers and also included representatives from the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC).
“In the end, these two companies got the tender,” he said.
The Lumut MP added that the system was conducive towards reducing road accidents and deaths, citing studies from countries that have implemented similar setups showing reductions between 50 and 60 per cent in the incidence of both occurrences.
“So why are people complaining? Are they not concerned with lives lost on the roads?” Kong said, adding that after two weeks implementation, the AES has managed to reduce traffic offences by up to 60 per cent in their areas of operation, with one traffic light recording zero offences.
The minister then urged Penang, the one state that has put a hold on the implementation of the AES, to set aside its opposition to the AES.
“The Penang government should care more about the lives of their people.
“This system saves lives and also inculcates a good safety culture among road users. That is what we want,” he said.
When asked if the system would sway voters in the upcoming general election, Kong rubbished the suggestion.
“I think we care more about the life of the people,” he said.
For the last two weeks, the AES has been lambasted in Parliament by both sides of the political divide, with PAS MPs pushing a motion for Kong’s salary be docked RM10 for implementing the system.
Kong has said that Putrajaya would not defer the implementation of the system, insisting that it would benefit road users in the long term through its ability to indirectly reduce road accidents by punishing speedsters and drivers who run red traffic lights.
comments
Moron, if the majority are silent, how the hell did you know they support the AES?
Since they are the silent majority it means they did not speak out. How do you know they want it? Or is it because they did not speak out you just ram the AES down their throat?
all the cabinet ministers are clowns and day after day they try to outwit each other to become who is the biggest clown of all to be the champion of all clowns! Sheer nonsense, he is talking without any brains as usual with no evidence or proof?
Silent does not mean consent ! Mr. Kong, By the way, you said that this concept was around for almost ten years, how come no one thought about proper warning signs but purely focus on the punitive moves, the Cameras & their locations. You are definitely very brave to take on the majority Silent mass, and prepare the whole MCA to go to "Holland" in the GE13.
UMNO & MCA cronies laughing all the way to the bank! Whereas, the Rakyat will bear the brunt of ERRORS in the system which may spiral out of control. The lucrative income will clearly motivate the ROBBING & THIEVING instinct of UMNO warlords who most likely would own these companies DIRECTLY or INDIRECTLY!
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