Government Rules Out Death Penalty for Traffic Offences, Focuses on Victim Support
Kuala Lumpur — The Malaysian government has reiterated that there is no necessity to introduce the death penalty into road traffic laws, as existing legal provisions already allow for severe punishment in cases involving fatalities, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
He explained that individuals responsible for fatal accidents, particularly those linked to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, can still be prosecuted under the Penal Code when the circumstances warrant it. In the most serious cases, charges such as murder may be considered, which carry the possibility of capital punishment.
Loke pointed out that the government has already taken steps away from mandatory death sentences, making it unlikely that such penalties would be introduced into the Road Transport Act 1987. He added that calls to impose harsher punishments in traffic-related cases do not align with the current policy direction.
Instead, the ministry is prioritising reforms aimed at strengthening the rights and protection of victims. Among the proposed changes is a requirement for convicted offenders to compensate victims’ families, ensuring that those affected receive financial support without having to go through lengthy legal processes.
At present, families seeking compensation must rely on civil litigation, which can be both time-consuming and expensive. The planned amendments aim to address this gap by incorporating compensation mechanisms directly into the legal framework for traffic offences.
The proposed legal revisions are expected to be tabled in Parliament in June, with the Road Transport Department and the Land Public Transport Agency working alongside the Attorney General’s Chambers to finalise the draft.
In parallel, the ministry is also reviewing broader strategies to tackle the issue of impaired driving, particularly in light of a recent fatal accident in Klang involving a motorcyclist and a driver suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Loke stressed that improving road safety requires a balanced approach that combines enforcement, legal reform, and support for victims, rather than relying solely on harsher punishments.
-wilayah.com.my
