{
  "id": 14615905,
  "title": "Govt considers seizing assets of motorists to compensate crash victims",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/govt-considers-seizing-assets-of-motorists-to-compensate-crash-victims",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T05:01:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/15/govt-considers-seizing-assets-of-motorists-to-compensate-crash-victims"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook disclosed that the government is exploring the possibility of seizing assets from motorists convicted of severe traffic violations to compensate victims and their families of road accidents. The proposal was among the measures under consideration to ensure families secure compensation, especially when offenders lack the means to pay. Loke further mentioned that the government is also contemplating heavier fines or jail terms for offenders who fail to pay compensation, in line with existing laws. However, no final decision has been made on the specifics of the proposed compensation system. The Cabinet approved in principle on July 15 to amend the Road Transport Act 1987 to enable courts to order motorists convicted of serious offenses to compensate victims or their families. The additional compensation would be added to existing penalties such as jail time, fines, and driving bans, and would apply to offenses resulting in deaths, serious injuries, or permanent disabilities. The transport ministry is collaborating with other government agencies to finalize the details, with plans to introduce the amendments to Parliament in early 2027. When asked about the Islamic principle of diyat or financial compensation, Loke stated that the ministry was open to input from Islamic legal experts, but emphasized that the proposed law would apply to all individuals, irrespective of their faith. In response to concerns raised by Syahredzan Johan (PH-Bangi), Loke highlighted that the amendments would also revamp the traffic demerit points system, which currently only records points after motorists pay their summonses, thereby weakening its deterrent effect on reckless driving.",
  "summary": "Transport minister Loke Siew Fook says the proposal aims to ensure that victims and their families receive compensation even when offenders cannot pay.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Govt considers seizing assets of motorists to compensate crash victims",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/govt-considers-seizing-assets-of-motorists-to-compensate-crash-victims-14618210",
        "published": "2026-10-15T05:01:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}