KUALA LUMPUR – The Transport Ministry’s move to not offer discounts for Road Transport Department (RTD) summonses in conjunction with the Madani Government One Year Anniversary Programme is aimed at educating the public.
Minister Anthony Loke said the ministry has been practising the policy of not giving discounts since 2018 when he was heading the ministry.
“We have had this policy since 2018 when I was the transport minister that year. At that time, I had also cancelled more than RM4 million AES camera summonses, one-off, and the people welcomed the gesture.
“We want to send a message to the public that the summons is to educate. If we give a discount, it would not be fair to others who paid their summonses within the stipulated time,” he said after visiting the ministry’s stall for the programme at the grounds of the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, here today.
Loke stressed that RTD is a responsible agency looking after road safety and would not compromise on the matter, and the cabinet and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali have been informed because road offences should be viewed seriously.
“Yesterday, I was informed that members of the public came to RTD counters to get a summons discount and they were disappointed, so I apologise for the misunderstanding over the issue.
“When the matter turned a bit tense yesterday, I had a special meeting with the (Transport Ministry secretary-general) and RTD top management, on the response of the people on the matter and we unanimously agreed that there will be no discount given,” he said.
According to him, even though there was no discount for RTD summonses, the ministry also held other programmes such as giving away 5,000 safety helmets – which received an encouraging public response – apart from the lucky draw, which offers flight tickets to the public.
Loke said based on the public reception, the ministry added another 2,000 brand new helmets, bringing the total number of helmets to 5,000 units during the three-day programme.
According to him, the state road safety councils will be extending the initiative throughout the country, including in Sabah and Sarawak, to ensure the public, especially motorcyclists, optimises road safety by putting on safety helmets.
“We cannot just distribute them here (Bukit Jalil), as those who came were only from the Klang Valley and nearby areas, but we will distribute safety helmets nationwide next year through the respective state road safety councils,” he said.
The three-day Madani Government One Year Anniversary Programme began yesterday to give focus on three components, namely the Madani Government One Year Achievement Showcase, people’s touch point services and People’s Well-being Initiative.
The programme’s closing ceremony will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tomorrow, which will also be attended by the government’s top leadership. – December 9, 2023