The Penang government has invited Transport Minister secretary-general to the state to explain the implementation of the Automated Enforcement System (AES).

NONE In a statement to the press, state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow, who oversees transportation, said that the decision was made at the state cabinet meeting yesterday.

"This decision was made because the state government, the local authorities and the various agencies are yet to have confidence in the implementation of (the) AES," said Chow, who is exco for local government, transportation and environment.

"Other than a letter from the Transport Ministry chief secretary Leong See Wool, dated April 23, to the Penang local government, the appointed concessionaire has yet to take further action on the matter," Chow added

Penang to decide after meeting

On Tuesday, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng announced that Penang would not proceed with the installation of the system for traffic offences, pending its own study on the project.

Controversy over the AES was triggered when it was learnt that the system would be implemented in cooperation with ATES Sdn Bhd and Beta Tegap Sdn Bhd, which are entitled to a cut of the RM300 summons.

Currently, up to 14 AES cameras were installed in various accident hotspots in the Klang Valley and Perak, while the Road Transport Department (RTD) is planning to install another 831 cameras nationwide in stages, within 18 months.

At the meeting yesterday, the Penang Municipal and Seberang Perai councils, the Penang State Police Contingent, Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), RTD and Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd stated that those responsible have yet to take action to implement the AES in Penang.

"Therefore, the state government will decide (whether to install the system) after our meeting with the Transport Ministry," said Chow, who is also state DAP chief.

The state government must give the green light before the AES system can be installed on state roads.

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