KL police launch new traffic law compliance operation

KUALA LUMPUR: Police here have launched an ongoing operation here to keep compliance to traffic laws as high as possible, says City police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.

He said this is because Kuala Lumpur road users have been very lax when complying with traffic rules.

"Infrastructure-wise we are world class, but we are still at a rather low level when it comes to traffic law compliance. So we have planned to bring back the dignity of road laws here so that we can be a good example for other states,” said Comm Mohd Shuhaily.

He said that operations were conducted at 16 spots in the city on Monday (July 3) with checks emphasizing on compliance with the law such as obeying red lights, not performing illegal u-turns and parking at designated areas.

"This includes police housing areas so that we can also educate my fellow officers and policemen in obeying the law. As long as I am the police chief in Kuala Lumpur, there will not be any discounts (for summons). We must be consistent when teaching,” he said.

He added that while he would comply with any decisions made later, he would not be giving any discounts himself.

When asked if enforcement during peak hours would bring about road disruptions, Comm Mohd Shuhaily said that it would but added that offences happened at all times – even peak hours.

"To me it is simple;offences made by road users are very frequent. We understand and we do not want to trouble the masses but at the same time we must also sacrifice a little in order to bring back some national dignity,” said Comm Mohd Shuhaily.

Earlier in the day at Bukit Bintang, a driver caught the ire of Comm Mohd Shuhaily and the enforcement team he was leading after he started using his horn excessively near a traffic stop as he tried to beat a yellow light.

Unbeknownst to him and the driver that he aimed his anger at, he did so right next to Comm Mohd Shuhaily and members of the media who were walking at a nearby traffic crossing.

Traffic police quickly swarmed in to pull both drivers to the side for inspections.

Another driver tried beating the traffic light in front of Comm Shuhaily, which led to a prompt stop and stern words.