Putrajaya targets early next year to table law compelling drunk, impaired drivers to compensate victims

PUTRAJAYA, October 12 — In a bid to alleviate the financial burden on victims of drunk or drug-impaired driving accidents, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced plans to introduce amendments to the Road Transport Act during the first parliamentary sitting of next year. The Cabinet has provisionally approved the policy, which the ministry is currently finalising with the Attorney General’s Chambers.

The proposed legislation aims to enable trial judges to order convicted impaired drivers to directly compensate victims or their families during the criminal sentencing process, bypassing the need for separate civil lawsuits. Currently, victims must employ private attorneys and initiate independent civil suits to claim damages, which can be costly and time-consuming, often leading to lengthy proceedings.

This reform draws inspiration from the legal concept of 'Diyan', an Islamic principle and universal moral obligation that requires wrongdoers to provide restitution to injured parties or bereaved families. While the Cabinet has adopted the policy stance, Loke highlighted the need for careful drafting to establish clear statutory mechanisms for assessing and enforcing payment amounts.

The law will apply uniformly across all communities. Additionally, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) will assist the police in investigating a recent fatal hit-and-run collision along Jalan Kuching that resulted in the death of a five-year-old girl.