No discount for JPJ summonses, says Loke

KUALA LUMPUR: The Transport Ministry will not offer discounts for Road Transport Department (JPJ) summonses as part of measures to educate the people.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the ministry has been practising the policy of not giving discounts since 2018, when he was heading the ministry.

"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 booth at the Madani Government One Year Anniversary Programme at National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here today.

Loke stressed that the JPJ is responsible for looking after road safety and would not compromise on the matter and added that 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 the JPJ counters to get a discount on their summons, and they were disappointed. 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 the JPJ top management on the people's response on the matter, and we unanimously agreed that there will be no discount given," he said.

According to him, even though the ministry offered no discount for JPJ summonses, it held other programmes, such as giving away 5,000 motorcycle helmets and a lucky draw.

He said the state Road Safety Council will extend its safety initiative throughout the country, including Sabah and Sarawak.

"We cannot just distribute them here (Bukit Jalil), as those who came were only from Klang Valley and nearby areas, but we will distribute motorcycle helmets nationwide next year through the respective state Road Safety Council," he said.