Now you don't see it, now you do... four of the five ministers who apparently had no traffic offences do not have such a 'clean' record after all.

Following a tip-off, their names were cross-checked today against either their current or previous identity card number - this search turned up a varying number of unpaid summonses.

Malaysiakini had reported yesterday that these ministers were not among cabinet members who had accumulated unpaid traffic summonses, mainly for speeding.

However, a check for vehicles registered under the current IC number of Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin, for example, showed 58 unpaid summonses dating back to April 3, 1999.

His most recent summons was issued on April 17 this year in Kuala Kangsar. He will have to pay RM7,600 after a discount from the maximum compound of RM17,400.

Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor has 17 unpaid summonses from July 9, 1999 to March 19 this year, issued to vehicles registered under his previous IC number. He therefore owes the government RM1,570 from a maximum compound fine of RM5,100.

Federal Territories Minister Zulhasnan Rafique ( left ) and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili ( right ) had three unpaid summons each for vehicles registered under their new IC numbers. However, both paid up their fines this afternoon.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdullah Md Zain has a clean record for vehicles registered under his current IC number, but a trace could not be made under his previous IC number.

Unable to verify

Up to Monday, 22 ministers were known to be owing at least RM124,850 in 999 unpaid summons.

Malaysiakini was unable verify the summons status of six ministers - Dr Lim Keng Yaik (Energy, Water and Communications); Bernard Giluk Dompok (Prime Minister's Department); Muhyiddin Mohd Yasin (Agriculture and Agro-based Industry); Azmi Khalid (Natural Resources and Environment) Mustapa Mohamed (Higher Education) and Mphd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad (Home).

The summonses were issued to several vehicles registered under the different ministers and were not confined to the Federal Territory.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak told reporters yesterday that he would pay up whatever he owes, and further directed his cabinet colleagues to do the same.

"I do not drive, it is others who do and I did not know about it. They also did not tell me. I will settle it," said Najib, was quoted as saying in The Star today.

Police are going after motorists who have yet to settle outstanding fines for traffic offences under Ops Warta IV, which ends on Aug 5.

Updated version: Full list of cabinet members and their unpaid fines