Come Merdeka Day, it's common for shops and malls to offer huge discounts in conjunction with the celebrations. This time around, the police have joined the bandwagon.

Starting this Thursday until Sept 22, motorists with outstanding summonses will be given a 50 percent discount.

However, this does not include those slapped with fines during the 'Ops Sikap' operations or motorists with arrests warrants issued against them.

According to a Bernama report today, federal traffic police chief Gingkoi Saman Pancras said this is the best way to deal with outstanding summonses since1999 amounting to RM3.4 million.

"The step was taken to enable traffic offenders to settle their debts and we always take the public's interest. So grab this opportunity," he added.

For those who have queries or wish to dispute their summonses, Ginkoi said the owner of the vehicle involved must also be present to solve the problem.

"We don't deny that sometimes human error is unavoidable. So we hope those with queries will approach us," he added

Where to check and pay?

Enquiries regarding summonses can be done via the police infoline at 600-857-999, short messaging service (SMS) for those with 013 and 019 lines or the internet at the following websites: http://www.rilek.com.my, http://www.eservices.com.my and http://www.myeg.com.my.

The checking and payment counters at all traffic police branches operate from Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm while on public holidays and off days, the counters are open from 2pm to 9pm.

Apart from this, three counters will be opened along the North-South Highway at the rest stops in Rawat Tapah (Perak), Ulu Bernam (Selangor) and Restoran Jejantas Air Keroh (Melaka) .

These counters will be opened from Monday to Friday from 4pm to 9pm.

The public can also settle or check for summonses at counters in selected malls such as the One Utama Shopping Complex, Petaling Jaya, Jaya Jusco Klang , Mines Shopping Complex Serdang, IOI Mall Puchong, Perangin Mall, Pulau Pinang dan Plaza Karamusing, Sabah.