Traffic summons: It's reduction not discount, says DPM
Zakiah KoyaPublished: Jan 19, 2001 9:22 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
The so-called "discount" on police summons payments that was recently reported is just a matter of different scales of payment, said the Deputy Prime Minister today.
The so-called "discount" on police summons payments that was recently reported is just a matter of different scales of payment, said the Deputy Prime Minister today.
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also Home Minister, clarified that the police are merely allowing traffic offenders to settle the summonses according to the gravity of the offence committed.
"It is stated in the Road Transport Act that there are many types of traffic offences - such as speeding and improper parking.
"Whether the police are going to slap the maximum fine of RM300 or not, it is up to them. If the offence is speeding, then of course the fine would be much higher.
"Between RM1 and RM300, the police have guidelines on what amount the fine should be," said Abdullah.
Certain yardsticks
The Star had reported on Wednesday that "the police are 'dangling' a flat rate offer to encourage traffic offenders to settle their outstanding summonses".
On the other hand, Nanyang Siang Pau reported today de facto Law Minister Rais Yatim as saying that the Cabinet had ordered the police to stop the "discounts" as it was unfair to those who had paid up earlier.
Abdullah said that when an offender pays up and a certain reduction is made based on the gravity of the offence committed, the reduction is what is termed as "discount".
"It only looks like a discount and it is not totally the discretion of the police. They have certain yardsticks to use before the amount is determined.
"For example, if a car is parked and its tyres are out of the parking box by six inches, then the fine would not be RM300," said Abdullah.
Abdullah was speaking at a Hari Raya gathering of Rural Development Ministry staff held at the Prime Minister's Department complex.
Police permit
To a query on the issuance of a police permit for Keadilan's '100,000 People's Gathering' at Telok Panglima Garang tomorrow, Abdullah said as the Home Minister, he never issued any permit.
"No, I have not given the permit," he said.
"It is not my duty to give the permit - you have to ask the police," he clarified.
Yesterday, police said that they have given permission to the opposition to hold the gathering, organised by Keadilan, to mark recent festive celebrations of major races in the country ([#1]Police okay Keadilan gathering on Saturday[/#], Jan 18.
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also Home Minister, clarified that the police are merely allowing traffic offenders to settle the summonses according to the gravity of the offence committed.
"It is stated in the Road Transport Act that there are many types of traffic offences - such as speeding and improper parking.
"Whether the police are going to slap the maximum fine of RM300 or not, it is up to them. If the offence is speeding, then of course the fine would be much higher.
"Between RM1 and RM300, the police have guidelines on what amount the fine should be," said Abdullah.
Certain yardsticks
The Star had reported on Wednesday that "the police are 'dangling' a flat rate offer to encourage traffic offenders to settle their outstanding summonses".
On the other hand, Nanyang Siang Pau reported today de facto Law Minister Rais Yatim as saying that the Cabinet had ordered the police to stop the "discounts" as it was unfair to those who had paid up earlier.
Abdullah said that when an offender pays up and a certain reduction is made based on the gravity of the offence committed, the reduction is what is termed as "discount".
"It only looks like a discount and it is not totally the discretion of the police. They have certain yardsticks to use before the amount is determined.
"For example, if a car is parked and its tyres are out of the parking box by six inches, then the fine would not be RM300," said Abdullah.
Abdullah was speaking at a Hari Raya gathering of Rural Development Ministry staff held at the Prime Minister's Department complex.
Police permit
To a query on the issuance of a police permit for Keadilan's '100,000 People's Gathering' at Telok Panglima Garang tomorrow, Abdullah said as the Home Minister, he never issued any permit.
"No, I have not given the permit," he said.
"It is not my duty to give the permit - you have to ask the police," he clarified.
Yesterday, police said that they have given permission to the opposition to hold the gathering, organised by Keadilan, to mark recent festive celebrations of major races in the country ([#1]Police okay Keadilan gathering on Saturday[/#], Jan 18.
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