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

NONE State executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow, who oversees transportation, said in a statement that this decision was made at the state executive council meeting yesterday.

"This decision was made because the state government, the local authority and the various agencies are yet to have confidence in the implementation of AES," said Chow.

"Other than a general letter from Transport Ministry secretary-general Leong See Wool dated April 23 to the Penang local government, the appointed concessionaire has yet to take further action on the matter," he said.

‘No AES until study is done'

On Tuesday, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng announced that the installation of the system for traffic offences would not proceed in Penang until the state's own study on the implementation of the project was done.

Controversy over the AES sparked 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 fines to to be imposed on traffic offenders.

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

At a meeting yesterday, the Penang and Seberang Perai municipals councils, the state police contigent, Land Transport Commission, Road Transport Departmenr and Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd said those responsible had yet to take action to implement the AES in Penang.

"Therefore, the state government will decide (whether to instal the system) after the meeting with the Transport Ministry," Chow added.

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