GEORGE TOWN: Like their counterparts in the Klang Valley, hundreds of motorists crowded the police summons counters in Penang to take advantage of the discount period.
Some came as early as 7am yesterday to beat the queue that formed when a 50% discount was given on traffic fines to mark the PDRM Solidarity 2nd Bridge Fun Ride/Run 2019.
There was a long queue on the third floor of Queensbay Mall here, with people busy checking and paying summonses at counters manned by seven police personnel.
Singaram Arjunan, 59, from Sungai Petani, Kedah, settled 13 summonses accumulated over the past two years by him and his brother-in-law.
“I had only five, mostly because my car was used by my daughter at a public university in Kedah, while the rest belonged to my brother-in-law.
“He was admitted to a private hospital for a treatment and while visiting him, I heard of the 50% discount and decided to pay mine and also his, ” Singaram said at the mall.
Allan Yap, 37, settled 12 summonses amounting to RM1,300.
“Six belonged to me while the other six were my brother’s. My brother is staying on the mainland and it’s a working day for him.
A Penang police contingent headquarters spokesman said they had to stop the queue at 3pm to facilitate the payments before the counter closed at 4pm.
“Those who could not pay today will have to come back as we will be open from 9am to 4pm, ” he said.
In the Klang Valley, thousands of Malaysians had queued up on Christmas eve and yesterday outside a key traffic police station in Kuala Lumpur to clear their summonses.
Calling the event Meet Customer Day, Kuala Lumpur traffic investigation and enforcement department chief Zulkefly Yahya said 24 counters were opened at the Jalan Tun HS Lee traffic police station to reduce waiting time.
Still, comments and pictures on social media revealed long queues and unhappy customers.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Zulkefly told Malay Mail online news on Tuesday: "Although the period is only open to KL folks however our officer will attend to whoever shows up and intends to clear off their summonses."
The counters opened at 8.30am and closed at 4pm.
Malaysian police and other agencies such as Kuala Lumpur City Hall regularly offer discounts for offences to members of the public to entice them to pay up.
While such moves often boost their coffers, members of the public tend to hoard these tickets until steep discount windows are announced. – The Star and Straits Times/Asia News Network
