ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING (Lowering of fines for motorcyclists)

Encik Harun A Ghani asked the Minister for Communications if he will consider lowering the Electronic Road Pricing fines for motorcyclists.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications (Dr Yaacob Ibrahim) (for the Minister for Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, the ERP system requires a motorist who uses an ERP expressway or road to install an IU in his vehicle and insert a CashCard of sufficient value. Therefore, motorists as well as motorcyclists who drive through an Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantry during the operating hours without an In-Vehicle Unit (IU) and a CashCard of sufficient value in the IU are committing an offence. We should not impose different penalties for the same offence as it is only fair that all offenders are treated equally, whether they drive a car, a lorry or ride a motorcycle.

Nevertheless, LTA will continue to consider all appeals against ERP offences on the merits of each case.

Encik Harun A Ghani: Sir, how many motorcyclists have been summoned up to date?

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, from November 1998 to January 1999, out of a population of 132,385 motorcyclists, only 6,740 have committed ERP offences.

Encik Harun A Ghani: Sir, there is a difference between motorcycles and motorcars. Motorcycles are fitted with IUs but the CashCard can be stolen easily if they forget to take it out. Could the Ministry invent an IU so that the CashCard could be safe?

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, I am sure that if there is such a unit in the market, we will consider it seriously. But the best way to prevent theft is actually to remove the card after it has been used.

Encik Harun A Ghani: Sir, it is because of theft that I have asked for a lower fine for motorcyclists.

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, on the whole, we have been fair to all users of the ERP. As and when they have committed an offence, LTA has exercised a lot of flexibility in their appeals. In fact, just to add to the numbers that I have mentioned earlier, out of the 6,000-odd motorcyclists who committed ERP offences, about 1,500 appealed and 725 were actually successful in their appeals.