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KUALA LUMPUR:The practice of saman ekor (postal summonses) to traffic offenders is contentious and can be debated, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said.

However, he said it would be unfair to motorists who had settled their saman ekor if outstanding summonses were written off.

"Even if we do away with it, what are we going to do with the people that have already made the payment before this?

"We can never have a clear-cut answer. Even if we say no and change the decision, it still won't be fair to the people who have already paid. The point is that we are finding ways and means to take into account the grieviences and grouses raised by the people," he told a press conference at Parliament lobby Monday, when asked about the claims by certain quarters that the practice of saman ekor was unlawful.

Several MPs had pointed out that the new provisions in the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill, which was tabled on Oct 13, paved way for the implementation of saman ekor.

Therefore, they contended that the practice of saman ekor before the Bill was passed had no legal basis.

On allegations by retired Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan that the ministry interfered in police matters, Hishammuddin said as minister, he was only doing his duty as provided for under Section 4 of the Police Act.

"Under the Act, the Home Minister is needed to lead, and if that is seen as interference, then it is an interference because the decision-making and direction of the police force is on the shoulders of the Home Minister.

Read the full article:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?fi ... sec=nation

HOME Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has acknowledged that the practice of issuing saman ekor (postal summonses) is open to question.

“It is a contentious issue,” he told reporters in Parliament House when asked to comment on claims that the practice of saman ekor was unlawful.

Several MPs had pointed out that the practice of writing saman ekor before the passing of the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill had no legal basis and was therefore, illegal.

Hishammuddin, however, pointed out that if the outstanding summonses were cancelled, it would be unfair to those who had already settled their summonses.

“Even if we do away with it, what are we going to do with those who had already paid their summonses?

“We don’t have a clear-cut answer. Even if we change the decision and write off the summonses, it won't be fair to the people who’ve already paid.

Read the full article:
http://www.nst.com.my/articles/20101109 ... 6/Article/