Already-resigned Loke refuses to entertain fresh quit calls over Zetrix AI controversy

Already-resigned Transport Minister Anthony Loke has refused to entertain fresh quit calls after the failure of Malaysian tech company Zetrix AI (formerly known as MyEG) to settle RM314 million in collection payments owed to the Road Transport Department (RTD).

He stated that these demands were made by "ceplos" or cybertroopers on social media after his ministry asked for the funds that MyEG was supposed to remit to the government.

"Whether it relates to any political party, that is not in my consideration.

"On social media, when action is taken, these cybertroopers ask me to resign; the company didn't pay (MyEG), what kind of logic is this?" he asked during a press conference in Putrajaya today.

On Oct 2, RTD announced the suspension of services provided by MyEG Sdn Bhd and Zetrix AI Bhd under the MyEG Group as collection agents for RTD, effective at 12.01am on Oct 5.

Director-general Aedy Fadly Ramli stated that the decision was made after considering compliance with the terms and conditions of the agreement, as well as the company's unfulfilled obligations and unresolved positions.

"In line with this decision, all RTD services previously offered through MyEG Group channels will be suspended starting from that date.

"RTD assures that public services and transactions will continue as usual through official and alternative channels provided," Aedy (above, left) said in a statement.

Failure to remit

The suspension followed a revelation by Singapore's Straits Times claiming that MyEG owed the government over RM200 million. Official documents sighted by the daily showed Zetrix had failed to remit collections since it began its three-year contract with RTD in May 2023.

Addressing the reports, Loke dismissed media claims that MyEG had failed to make these payments for the past three years.

Instead, Loke clarified that the company's failure to settle RTD payments - totalling RM314 million - occurred between May and Sept 30 this year.

"I want to correct media reports asking why RTD and the Transport Ministry did not take action for years, or why no action was taken over the past three years.

"These arrears started in May this year, which is a few months ago. Before May, there were indeed past arrears, but after we issued letters and reminder notices, they paid. However, the unsettled arrears amounting to RM314 million date back to May of this year," he added.

Loke noted that the Finance Ministry had issued more than 30 notices to the company telling it to settle the payment.

He also stressed that the Transport Ministry will take legal action against MyEG to recover the funds owed to RTD.

Loke assured that the current situation will not disrupt public transactions or payments to RTD.

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