Sita aset pesalah trafik perlu lindung hak keluarga tak bersalah

Malaysia's government is considering the idea of seizing the assets of serious traffic offenders to pay compensation to victims and their families in severe road accident cases. This proposal, according to crime law expert Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid, must be based on law to protect the rights of innocent family members. "Penalty must have clear legal foundation," she told FMT, emphasizing that taking away assets from an innocent spouse or relative solely because they have a connection to the offender is not acceptable.

While financial penalties alone may not deter traffic offenses if not backed by consistent legal enforcement, Law Teik Hua, a road safety expert from Universiti Putra Malaysia, noted that asset seizure could potentially act as a deterrent financially, but it cannot change driver behavior or reduce road fatalities on its own. The government, he suggested, should prioritize prevention through ongoing enforcement against serious issues like drunk or drug driving, speeding, and running red lights, in addition to improving the demerit points system.

Law also proposed the creation of a compensation fund while awaiting asset sales to prevent victims from being burdened while waiting for the asset sale process to complete.