MALAYSIA: Foreigners who racked up $658,200 in traffic summonses in Malaysia todate will be compelled to pay up once the Automated Vehicle Screening System (AVSS) is introduced at all border checkpoints. The system is now being used only at checkpoints at the border with Singapore.

The AVSS detects vehicles with outstanding summonses. When the system flags a vehicle with outstanding summons, the driver will not be allowed into the country until the summons is settled.

"Singaporeans are the worst culprits when it comes to unpaid summonses," Federal traffic police chief Datuk Hamza Taib said after launching a state traffic police course.

There are 3,000 outstanding summonses on Singapore-registered vehicles, most for speeding.

Foreigners caught speeding in Sabah and Sarawak would now be served summonses on the spot. Previously, the foreigners would only be given summonses as they were about to leave the country.

"Now, we will stop them and issue summons immediately. They will have to settle the summons at the district police headquarters before leaving."