Kuala lumpur: The Transport Ministry (MoT) plans to table a further amendment to the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) later this year to introduce a compensation mechanism for victims and families of victims involved in accidents caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Transport Minister Anthony Loke stated that the proposed amendment aims to ensure greater justice for victims and their families, complementing existing penalties such as imprisonment and fines imposed on offenders. The ministry is preparing a Cabinet memorandum to secure policy approval before the proposal is referred to the Attorney General's Chambers for drafting into a Bill, which will be tabled during the third Dewan Rakyat meeting later this year.
"We are indeed considering a new approach, not only to impose imprisonment and fines on drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but also to incorporate an element of compensation for victims or the families of victims. This concept has been widely discussed, namely the need to ensure justice for victims' families. It is something that I agree with," Loke said when winding up the debate on the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Loke noted that the proposal was not included in the latest amendment Bill tabled for second reading yesterday as the legislation had largely been finalized about two years ago, and any new policy proposal would require a separate legislative process. The memorandum on the proposed amendment has been circulated to relevant ministries for feedback and is expected to be submitted to the Cabinet within the next one to two months.
The government remains uncompromising on offences involving driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, emphasizing that any legal reform must also address the interests of victims and families affected by road accidents. "Whatever the law, it cannot prevent 100 per cent of accidents or crimes. But we want to see how the law can guarantee justice when accidents occur, so that victims and their families receive the justice they deserve. It is not that we are not serious; we are very serious," Loke asserted.
He added that awareness campaigns would continue to be intensified to change road users' behavior, including consistently reinforcing the message that those who consume alcohol should not get behind the wheel.