Malaysia plans to amend the Road Transport Act 1987 to require drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs to compensate victims of accidents they cause.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the proposal while tabling Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said 28 fatal cases involving drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs had been recorded as of August, despite tighter enforcement.
Anwar also referred to a crash on LPT1 near Temerloh on the eve of National Day that killed four people, including a married couple and their young child.
The Budget announcement did not specify when the amendment would be tabled or set out the compensation process.
In July, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said Cabinet had agreed in principle to a wider proposal that would allow courts to order compensation in criminal proceedings for serious road crashes involving dangerous or reckless driving, including impaired driving.
Under that proposal, courts would assess compensation case by case; it was intended to supplement, not replace, existing insurance claims and civil proceedings.
The detailed legislative provisions and implementation arrangements have yet to be set out publicly.
