By Md Izwan
SHAH ALAM, Dec 6 – The Selangor state government will not be reversing its suspension of the controversial Automated Enforcement System (AES), and is ready to go to court over the disputed matter.
This decision came today after a warning by the Road Transport Department (RTD) director-general Datuk Solah Mat Hassan, who said that those who believed the system to be in breach of local council by-laws can take the matter to court.
“We’ll cover them (with a cloth) first ... I wanted to dismantle, but (Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim) wanted to cover,” state councillor Ronnie Liu told reporters this morning.
“We’ll see who’s brave enough to yank them out. Let’s have a test.”
The executive councillor for local government also claimed that despite warnings, the RTD has not submitted any application for operating the cameras to the local councils up until now.
“In the case of AES installation, it needs a planning approval permit. Without the permit, we can’t install anything,” he added.
According to Liu, the first notice issued at November 19 had expired after 14 days, and another notice was also issued today.
He had accused that the AES was implemented only to rake profits instead of ensuring drivers’ safety.
“There are big profits to be made, 14 cameras ... RM23 million.”
Solah was quoted in Sinar Harian Online today saying that RTD will be applying for planning approval permits from the relevant local councils.
“AES that has been installed will not be pulled out,” Solah insisted, stressing that dismantling the cameras would be akin to an act of vandalism.
The Selangor government was previously reported to have said it will shut down two AES cameras in the state tomorrow — one located at Km6.6 on the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE) and another located near Jalan Bangi towards Cyberjaya.
Abdul Khalid was reported by the Malay news portal to have said the state will first write in to the Transport Ministry to disable to cameras and then cover it up pending a reply.
“If in two weeks there is no response or application by the Transport Ministry, then we will decide to dismantle the pole so it cannot be used again,” Abdul Khalid was reported as saying by the news portal, referring to the pole in which the AES camera is mounted.
The PR state government has barred the roll out of the controversial system to catch speeding motorists in Selangor, saying the move is unlawful.
