The transport minister announced yesterday that a controversial contest offering cash for photographs of traffic offenders has been cancelled.

The contest was an attempt by the Road Safety Department to curb traffic offenders and reduce fatalities as Malaysians take to the roads for the festive Chinese New Year period.

"As there is the possibility of abuse for profit by some quarters, I am taking the decision to stop this programme after having considered the views of various parties," Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy said, according to the official Bernama news agency.

The "Snap, Send and Win" contest awarded photographers with a weekly prize of RM150 for the best picture of traffic offences, with RM100 and RM50 for second and third places.

The contest was suspended yesterday and withdrawn from the department's website following complaints from various parties including the Bar Council.