Good news for motorists who have yet to settle their traffic summonses. The additional RM300 penalty imposed by the police since May 16 has been cancelled.

According to a source from the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters today the decision to scrap the additional fine was made recently but has not been publicly announced.

The source told malaysiakini that Bukit Aman will make an official announcement on the matter once clearance has been obtained from Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai.

The RM300 penalty, an additional fine provided for under the Road Transport Act for those who failed to pay their traffic summonses was issued during the controversial Ops Warta II.

The police source said the cancellation was automatic and motorists do not have to go to police stations to get their summonses cancelled.

When Ops Warta II was launched, a total of 15,002 summonses were issued under section 112 (1) (a) of the 1987 Road Transport Act on the ground that motorists failed to provide authorities — with their particulars or that of those who had driven their vehicles at the time the offence was committed — within seven days after receiving the notifications.

Offenders had to pay RM300 for the traffic offence and another RM300 for ignoring the summonses.

Arrest warrants

Police threatened to issue warrants of arrest if the compounded fines were not paid within the 14-day grace period. Policemen went to homes, public car parks and had set up roadblocks to nab the offenders.

The motorists were initially given a May 1 deadline to settle their summonses but this was later extended to May 16.

At first, there were 4.6 million outstanding traffic summonses, but the number went down to 3.3 million after thousands of motorists jammed payment counters to meet the first deadline.

Ops Warta II caused panic among traffic offenders and their mad scramble to meet the police deadline caused long queues and confusion at police stations and payment counters throughout the country.

The operation also came under heavy criticisms from various quarters. Even Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Rais Yatim questioned the legality of the police action but the Attorney-General's chambers clarified that they had acted legally.

Refunding motorists

In an immediate response, DAP member of Parliament for Kota Melaka Kerk Kim Hock said he welcomed the police's decision to cancel the extra RM300 penalty.

"I have many times argued over the last two months that it was wrong for the police to slap motorists with the additional RM300 penalty. The decision shows that persistence from the people pays," he told malaysiakini today.

"I am glad that the police have finally accepted the rationality of the arguments and accepted the reality that the only right step to take is to cancel the summonses," he added.

Kerk, who is also the party secretary-general, said he will continue to seek an answer on whether the police are prepared to refund the motorists who have already settled the RM300 penalty.