‘The Less You Delay, The Less You Pay’ Principle For Traffic Compounds To Take Effect Next Year

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- The government will standardise the rates and procedures for road traffic offence compounds nationwide through the implementation of the principle “the less you delay, the less you pay,” starting Jan 1 next year, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

He said the Cabinet decided on Oct 17 after noting discrepancies in the rates and enforcement methods of compounds between the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) had caused confusion and given the impression that the law was not being applied consistently.

According to him, the standardisation initiative is intended to encourage timely payment of fines, as the compound rate is reduced when settled promptly.

“This is because providing programme-based discounts would be unfair to those who act responsibly and settle their fines promptly,” he said at a joint conference by the Transport Ministry and the Home Ministry at the Parliament building, today.

Also present were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, and JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli.

Loke explained that under this principle, individuals who pay their fines within 15 days will receive a 50 per cent discount, those who settle the fines within 16 to 30 days will get a 33 per cent reduction, while fines paid between 31 and 60 days will incur the full amount.

“From day 61 onwards, court action and blacklisting will be imposed on the vehicle owner. However, these incentives do not apply to non-compoundable offences, such as driving without a Motor Vehicle Licence (LKM) and insurance or displaying a fake LKM,” he said.

According to Loke, during the transition period for implementing this principle, from Nov 1 to Dec 30, members of the public can settle existing JPJ and PDRM compoundable fines at a discounted rate of 50 to 70 per cent.

“After this period, the ‘less you delay, the less you pay’ principle will be fully implemented, and no discounts will be offered for outstanding fines,” he said.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution stated that to date, RM640 million in outstanding fines has been collected under PDRM’s discount programmes and special campaigns from 2022 up to September this year. However, to date, the unpaid fines stand at RM6.6 billion.

“Moving forward, I believe both ministries, particularly the agencies, JPJ and PDRM, will reassess enforcement measures against those who fail to make payments.

“From our perspective (PDRM), we have made every effort to run road safety campaigns, remind users to be disciplined, orderly, and law-abiding, yet the level of outstanding fines remains relatively high,” he added.

-- BERNAMA