Enforcement of the Kejara demerit point system and the Automatic Enforcement System (AES) is more effective to educate road users than imposing high fine, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

This, he said, being that the amount of fine was subjective as it depended on the income and financial status of the motorists concerned.

“Kejara and AES are more effective because the amount of fine depends on individuals. A RM150 fine is high to me, but to others, it is still low.

“Enforcement of Kejara and AES involves suspending the licence of errant motorists, regardless (of) who they are if they continue to violate regulations.

“If their points reach to a level where their licence has to be suspended, then it is a more effective method," he told reporters at a Chinese New Year celebration in Merlimau.

He was commenting on a statement by inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar, who suggested imposing higher fines to ensure compliance by motorists to road regulations.

Liow said the Transport Ministry welcomed the various road safety incentives taken by the Home Ministry, including upgrading the traffic unit to a department.

“The Home Ministry and the police have their way of educating road users, and we have our way, that is through Kejara and AES, but we always work together," he added.

In another development, Liow said investigation would be carried out by the Transport Ministry over an incident of a cracked window of a Rayani Air aircraft said to be due to sabotage.

“We will investigate whether it is because of sabotage or technical issue.

It is normal for the window on the plane's cockpit to shatter, but because there is a claim of sabotage, we have to investigate," he added.

On the two incidents of fire involving Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) locomotives, Liow said the ministry had instructed KTMB to carry out effective maintenance on all its trains.

“The demand for trains during the festive season is high and that is why KTMB has to use all its assets, including the old ones, but the fire incidents did not affect the KTMB train schedule," he added.

- Bernama