3 June 2025 – Petaling Jaya — Drivers, take note: Malaysia’s North-South Expressway (NSE) has seen an increase in the number of automated speed enforcement cameras, with the total now reaching 23 locations across the northbound and southbound routes. This move is part of a broader effort to curb speeding and reduce accident risks on one of Malaysia’s busiest highways.
According to information provided to Sin Chew Daily by highway operator PLUS Malaysia Berhad, the cameras include both the Automated Enforcement System (AES) and the AwAS (Automated Awareness Safety System), strategically installed across high-risk areas on the expressway and the ELITE Highway.
Breakdown of New Camera Locations
The 23 speed enforcement camera locations are now distributed as follows:
- Northbound: 12 locations
- Southbound: 11 locations
- ELITE Highway: 2 specific points
The northern section has seven key installations, the southern region eight, and six in central Malaysia. (See full list below.)
Despite having 24 rest stops along the NSE, PLUS spokesperson Nazrin Fazli confirmed that license plate recognition (LPR) systems have not yet been installed at these rest areas, a move which may happen in future as enforcement technology evolves.
MIROS: Camera Locations Will Keep Changing
Dr. Wong Shaw Voon, Chairman of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), explained that the locations of AwAS speed cameras are not fixed and will be updated regularly based on data analysis.
“Speed patterns change over time. New highways or residential areas can increase road risks. When speeds slow in one area, drivers may speed up elsewhere. We adapt accordingly,” he told Sin Chew Daily.
Dr. Wong emphasized that cameras are positioned primarily in high-risk zones — places where excessive speeding often leads to serious accidents or fatalities. Locations are selected based on historical crash data, not at random.
Smart Enforcement with AI and License Plate Recognition
There are growing concerns among the public about how speed enforcement can be fairly conducted, especially over such a long highway with multiple rest stops. Some question whether drivers could game the system by taking breaks to reset travel times.
Addressing this, transport technology consultant Tan Sien Yee, who has years of experience with LPR systems, said the concept of point-to-point speed enforcement relies on AI and time-distance calculations.
“Cameras at toll plazas, rest stops, and strategic exit points log each vehicle’s license plate and timestamp,” Tan explained. “Speed is simply distance over time. With fixed camera points and AI-powered data processing, it’s easy to determine if someone has exceeded the limit.”
He added that most highway CCTV systems already support license plate recognition, which makes integration seamless.
Purpose: Safer Roads, Not Punishment
Dr. Wong stressed that the core aim of AwAS is not punishment but behavioral change. By reducing speed in dangerous areas, the goal is to lower collision rates and prevent injuries or deaths.
“Our system factors in speedometer variability. There’s typically a 10% tolerance margin to avoid false positives. Enforcement must be accurate enough that no one can contest it in court,” he said.
He reiterated that Malaysia is not the first country to use this AI-based enforcement model, and its effectiveness has been validated globally.
Full List of AES and AwAS Camera Locations (as of 15 March 2025)
Northbound (12 locations):
- Johor Bahru (KM 1)
- Pagoh (KM 151.4)
- Jasin (KM 184.2)
- Ayer Keroh (KM 214.4)
- Kajang (KM 301.6)
- Serendah (KM 375.9)
- Kampar (KM 299.9)
- Taiping (KM 204.6)
- Bandar Baru (KM 174)
- Kuala Muda (KM 97.2)
- Ipoh to Kuala Kangsar (KM 258.3)
- ELITE Highway (KM 28.4)
Southbound (11 locations):
13. Kuala Muda (KM 96.3)
14. Seberang Perai (KM 166)
15. Melor (KM 328.8)
16. Ayer Keroh (KM 214.4)
17. Yong Peng (KM 185)
18. Pagoh (KM 146.8)
19. Johor Bahru (KM 1)
20. Kuala Kangsar to Ipoh (KM 262.3)
21. Enstek (KM 265.3)
22. Sungai Buaya (KM 431.5)
23. ELITE Highway (KM 17)
Final Thoughts
With the addition of these new speed cameras, Malaysian authorities are sending a clear message: road safety is a priority. Through the integration of artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and high-resolution surveillance, the nation is modernizing its enforcement systems not just to catch offenders but to deter dangerous driving habits altogether.
For digital publishers, advertisers, and readers involved in transport tech, insurance, or public safety, this story is a key example of how intelligent traffic management systems are shaping future urban mobility in Southeast Asia.