Exempt gov't drivers from Kejara demerit system, urges Cuepacs (Updated)

PUTRAJAYA: Exempt government vehicle drivers from Kejara demerit point system.
This is the call from Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services Malaysia (Cuepacs) to the Government with the system scheduled to be implemented later this year.
Cuepacs president Datuk Azih Muda said the exemption is to allow the drivers to carry out their duties and also to ensure that all government agencies do not face shortage of drivers due to them being suspended under the system.
Citing examples, he said, among those to be exempted are police chasing suspects, drivers transporting ministers and ambulance carrying patients.
"Its not fair to summon them for speeding as they are doing their job with time being an important factor," he told a press conference after a meeting with Road Transport Department (RTD) Director-General Datuk Nadzri Siron, here, today.
He said the public should also be exempted for specific cases under the Kejara system, such as if someone is rushing a family member or someone to hospital.
"There must be fair implementation of the system, both for the government drivers and the public," he said, adding under the current system, government drivers are not exempted from being penalised for traffic offences.
According to the Kejara system, those who accumulate 15 demerit points will have their licences suspended, and will be cancelled if the licence owner commits more traffic offences and accumulates 15 demerit points after being suspended three times.
Azih said this matter was brought to light after Cuepacs received multiple complaints from their members who were concerned over the implementation of the system.
He said he was particularly concerned with the impending implementation of the Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas), which could see more drivers penalised for speeding.
"This is for the interest of both parties. The government need their drivers, and the drivers need their jobs," he said.
Azih said although there have not been any answers from his RTD counterpart during the meeting, he was happy with how it went, and hoped the matter would be brought up for further discussion.
He added that there are currently more than 50,000 government vehicle drivers from over 700 ministries, departments and agencies nationwide.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai had, in June, said both the Kejara system and Awas would be implemented simultaneously this year in a bid to reduce traffic accidents, once approved by the Cabinet.