Vandalised AES camera near Pagoh causes uproar

TANGKAK: An Automated Enforcement System (AES) camera at Km151 of the North-South Expressway, northbound near Pagoh, has been vandalised.

Pictures of the pole, on which it was mounted, lying on the ground with the wires at its base exposed, have gone viral.

Closer inspection of the pictures, which were shared on Facebook pages such as Community Roda Johor, JB Traffic Report, JB Tracer and Persatuan Bangsa Johor showed that the camera was damaged.

Netizens expressed dismay and shock that such an act of destruction of public property had taken place.

The expressway concessionaire was believed to have received a report from a motorist that he had noticed that the camera was missing at 9.35am yesterday, not knowing that it was lying on the ground.

They then reported the “incident” to the police.

However, police had already known. District police chief Superintendent Mohad Idris Samsuri said a police patrol team had noticed the damaged camera on Saturday morning.

“It could have happened on Friday night,” he said.

Idris said the camera on the southbound lane of the expressway, however, was in working condition.

“We are investigating the case under Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing mischief and damage to property. The offender can be jailed up to three months or fined, or both, upon conviction,” he said.

Among people who commented on Facebook pages was Fifie Aziz, who said she was disappointed at what had happened.

“Why did they (vandals) do that? “I often pass by that northbound stretch, which is known for many fatal accidents.

“Since the camera was set up, I rarely see accidents occurring at the stretch.

“Now, someone (has) destroyed the camera.

“You can’t be speeding all the time. I guess some people like this to happen,” she said.

Mohamad Helmee Sham, meanwhile, said he feared it was the act of delinquents and urged the authorities to look into the case.

“This must have been caused by mischievous youngsters.”