cheahsoonhai

Gerakan urges government to put AES on hold to conduct more studies

 
 

Press statement by

Gerakan Central Bureau on Environment, Safety and Quality of Life Chairman

Dr Cheah Soon Hai

 
 

2 November 2012

 
 

Gerakan Central Bureau on Environment, Safety and Quality of Life Chairman, Dr Cheah Soon Hai today urges the government to put the implementation of AES on hold to conduct more studies regarding the system which caused uproar among Malaysians. Phase One of AES has seen 14 cameras being installed since September 23 while Phase Two which involves 831 units are currently being installed within the next 18 months through stages nationwide.

 
 

"I urge the Ministry of Transport to conduct more re-evaluation of the AES as there are many flaws detected in the system. Although it is a noble intention to prevent road accidents, it must not be implemented hastily."

 
 

Cheah further commented that the unpopularity of the government's decision to bulldoze through the AES has caused massive complaints from the people and the four Pakatan Rakyat states have decided to suspend the implementation of the system.

 
 

"Gerakan itself have also received numerous complaints from the people when they are issued summons."

 
 

Cheah, also Kedah Derga state assemblyman said that while he understands that the move to install the AES on highways is the right thing to do, he was puzzled with the need to install it in towns where the speed limit is actually about 60 to 70 kmphs, much lower than the highway average speed limit of 110 kmphs.

 
 

"I hope that the government would also install signboards and traffic lights with countdowns to warn motorist about an AES further upfront. This is because some motorist might panic upon seeing the yellow light and brake suddenly, causing more accidents which defeats the purpose of the system's implementation."

 
 

He also urges the government to provide an interim period so that the people will be able to adjust to the new system while at the same time conduct more road shows to provide further explanation of the system before implementation.