KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1 — The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC)
should withdraw all traffic summonses issued under the controversial
Automated Enforcement System (AES) and refund the cash paid up by
motorists it had penalised now that the privatised system has proven to
be defective, said Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman, weighing in on the
hot-button topic ahead of Election 2013.
The Attorney-General for 13 years, the retired civil servant described the privatised traffic enforcement system rolled out last September as a clear case of the government putting the cart before the horse and done thoughtlessly without respect for the rule of law or fundamental rights.
“It is totally unfair and unreasonable to allow a summons to be issued but does not allow the prosecution of the case if the person or persons summoned wish to challenge the action of the authorities. Where does he or she go to seek justice?
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“The court must act independently and not take orders from the public prosecutor,” Abu Talib (picture) told The Malaysian Insider in a recent interview.
The AGC and the federal government came under fire last month for freezing the prosecution of traffic offenders under the AES yet allowing the system to continue operating.
The freeze was ordered following an outcry after the system issued nearly 300,000 summonses since it kicked off on September 23 last year.
The decision sparked widespread public anger and prompted the Najib administration to mull holding off implementation of the system that appears to duplicate police speed traps along highways.
But shortly after the freeze, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said the AES would still operate as usual and summonses would continue to be issued, drawing more criticisms from those opposing the system.
“The government will not stop AES summons as it is already been decided in the last Cabinet meeting,” Kong had said on December 26, referring to the approval of his ministry’s estimated expenditure under Budget 2013.
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The Attorney-General for 13 years, the retired civil servant described the privatised traffic enforcement system rolled out last September as a clear case of the government putting the cart before the horse and done thoughtlessly without respect for the rule of law or fundamental rights.
“It is totally unfair and unreasonable to allow a summons to be issued but does not allow the prosecution of the case if the person or persons summoned wish to challenge the action of the authorities. Where does he or she go to seek justice?
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
“The court must act independently and not take orders from the public prosecutor,” Abu Talib (picture) told The Malaysian Insider in a recent interview.The AGC and the federal government came under fire last month for freezing the prosecution of traffic offenders under the AES yet allowing the system to continue operating.
The freeze was ordered following an outcry after the system issued nearly 300,000 summonses since it kicked off on September 23 last year.
The decision sparked widespread public anger and prompted the Najib administration to mull holding off implementation of the system that appears to duplicate police speed traps along highways.
But shortly after the freeze, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said the AES would still operate as usual and summonses would continue to be issued, drawing more criticisms from those opposing the system.
“The government will not stop AES summons as it is already been decided in the last Cabinet meeting,” Kong had said on December 26, referring to the approval of his ministry’s estimated expenditure under Budget 2013.
