It is bad news for drunk drivers

KUALA LUMPUR, July 18, 2026 – The Malaysian government is preparing amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) that will require convicted drunk drivers, drug users, and reckless motorists to pay compensation to victims or their families. The Ministry of Transport will hold engagement sessions with stakeholders, including insurance companies and enforcement agencies, to finalize the mechanism.

drunk drivers

Officials say the move is long overdue, aiming to instill accountability and provide relief to families who lose breadwinners in road tragedies. Similar systems exist abroad: the UK issues Compensation Orders, Australia combines court directives with insurance claims, Singapore allows courts to order payments alongside criminal penalties, Canada uses Restitution Orders, and Germany permits civil claims linked to criminal proceedings. Malaysia’s reform seeks to balance justice with empathy for victims’ families.

Photo: Illustration only

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