By Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Chairman, Alliance for a Safe Community
KOTA KINABALU: The Alliance for a Safe Community welcomes the new policy to be implemented beginning 1 January 2026, under which summonses will be issued to all vehicle owners who commit traffic offences, and the amount payable will depend on how quickly the fine is settled.
The decision to discontinue the practice of granting large-scale discounts on outstanding summonses is a timely and commendable step to encourage greater accountability and discipline among road users.
In the past, periodic discount offers have created a perception that offenders could simply wait for the next amnesty period to pay less.
Such practices undermine the deterrent effect of traffic laws and weaken efforts to promote a culture of responsible driving.
This new approach sends a clear message that traffic laws must be respected and that any violation will be dealt with firmly.
At the same time, it is crucial that enforcement is carried out consistently, transparently, and fairly, so that the public has full confidence that every summons is issued accurately and without bias.
The policy should also be strengthened through continuous road safety education, close monitoring of repeat offenders, and the use of technological tools such as automated enforcement cameras to ensure impartiality and fairness.
The ultimate goal of this initiative should not merely be to collect fines, but to change driver behaviour and promote safer roads for all.
If implemented effectively, this new policy has the potential to reduce traffic offences, save lives, and make our roads safer for everyone.
We all share the responsibility to make our roads safer.
