PETALING JAYA: The proposal in Budget 2026 to allow heavy vehicle owners to claim the cost of installing speed limiters is a timely and progressive move, say road safety experts.
They cautioned, however, that consistent enforcement and safeguards are essential to prevent tampering.
Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua said the Accelerated Capital Allowance incentive recognises the financial challenges faced by fleet operators and offers real savings.
“The policy will have a beneficial impact on wider implementation, especially among larger logistics firms contributing to tax revenues,” said Law.
He said enforcement remains key, as tampering continues to be an issue.
“Without mandatory annual tests to verify device integrity, it’s ineffective,” he said, adding that regular Puspakom checks and lower insurance premiums with certified devices could help.
Transport consultant Wan Agyl Wan Hassan welcomed the proposal but said the devices must be tamper-proof, certified and data-verified.
“Without random audits and telematics monitoring, it could become another ‘fit-and-forget’ policy. We’ve seen that before.
“If Malaysia pairs this incentive with regular depot checks, fatigue monitoring and proper maintenance enforcement, we could see a genuine shift in safety culture.”
He also urged for a simple, digital claiming process for the allowance and suggests starting enforcement with the top 20 logistics firms before expanding to smaller fleets.
Road Safety Marshal Club founder and president K. Balasupramaniam also welcomed the move, saying it eases transporters’ burden, while Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research chairman Dr Wong Shaw Voon noted that heavy vehicles manufactured after 2015 already have built-in speed limiters.
Older ones only require retrofitting, but Wong urged operators of ageing fleets to consider replacing them with newer vehicles due to rising maintenance and fuel costs.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the initiative, announced under Budget 2026, allows operators to claim costs within a year to support the enforcement of speed limiters and reduce road accidents.
