Drivers convicted of causing death or serious injury through dangerous driving could soon be ordered by the courts to compensate victims or their families under proposed amendments to Malaysia’s Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333).
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the amendments would empower the courts to award compensation based on the facts and merits of each case, including the severity of injuries or fatalities, the financial losses suffered by victims and the offender’s ability to pay.
The proposed mechanism is intended to provide financial relief to victims and the families of those killed in serious road crashes.
“The government is committed to ensuring that drivers who cause deaths through dangerous or reckless driving are not treated as ordinary traffic offenders but face the toughest legal action appropriate to each case,” Loke said during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.
He added that the Ministry of Transport will continue working closely with the Home Ministry, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Attorney General’s Chambers to ensure stricter enforcement and appropriate punishment for offenders.
Loke was responding to a question from Datuk Yusuf Abd Wahab (GPS–Tanjong Manis) on the government’s efforts to eradicate illegal street racing and impose tougher penalties on racers whose actions result in fatalities.
He said the ministry has adopted a comprehensive approach to tackling illegal racing nationwide, including amendments introduced through the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2026, which was passed by the Dewan Rakyat on 24 June.
Among the key changes is the introduction of Section 42A, which creates a specific offence for illegal street racing.
First-time offenders could face a fine of between RM2,000 and RM10,000, up to two years’ imprisonment, or both.
Repeat offenders would face fines ranging from RM5,000 to RM20,000, up to five years’ imprisonment, or both.
Loke also said enforcement agencies have intensified nationwide operations against illegal street racing.
Addressing cases involving fatalities, he noted that existing laws already provide for severe punishments.
He cited the Simpang Renggam crash, where the Attorney General’s Chambers directed police to investigate under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
A conviction under Section 302 carries either the death penalty or 30 to 40 years’ imprisonment, along with at least 12 strokes of the cane if the death sentence is not imposed.
The fatal crash on 1 June along the Renggam–Kluang Road claimed the lives of four members of the same family after two luxury cars were allegedly driven at high speed in a reckless manner.
