The controversial Automated Enforcement System (AES) traffic cameras, suspended from operating three years ago by the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), is making a comeback to Malaysian roads.
The Edge reports that the AES project will be relaunched with Boustead Holdings Bhd taking over the operational reigns, taking over from the AES’s original operators, Beta Tegap Sdn Bhd and Automated Traffic Enforcement System Sdn Bhd (ATES).
Boustead’s main shareholder, Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) will purchase Beta Tegap and ATES via a new company controlled by Boustead, Irat Properties Sdn Bhd, which was itself bought by Boustead for a reported RM250 million.
Boustead deputy chairman and managing director Lodin Wok Kamaruddin told The Edge that an announcement on when the relaunch of the AES system would take place will be made in the next week or two.
AES cameras began operating in September 2012, but was plagued by negative public reaction and criticism that it was expensive to implement, at a cost of RM700 million in taxpayer money.
Criticism was also levelled at the system being operated by private contractors, who would net a RM16 profit from each summons issued.
Then-AG Abdul Gani Patail suspended the system until further notice in December 2012.
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