PETALING JAYA: If dashcam were to be made mandatory for commercial vehicles, it must come with clear guidelines, says an e-hailing association.
President of Malaysia E-Hailing and Delivery Organisation (Medo) Masrizal Mahidin said under existing regulations, dashcams are not compulsory for e-hailing vehicles, though the association strongly encourages the use of the device for safety, accountability and dispute resolution.
“Whether dashcams should be made compulsory requires careful consideration. While we acknowledge their benefits, a blanket mandate should take into account cost implications, data privacy concerns, and implementation readiness, especially for full-time drivers who are already bearing rising operational costs,” he said.
He said if dashcams are to be made compulsory in the future, then this should be accompanied by clear guidelines, data protection safeguards, and possible incentives or subsidies to ease the burden on drivers.
In terms of installation, most drivers do not face major technical difficulties. Dashcams are widely available, relatively easy to install, and compatible with most vehicles. The main challenges raised by drivers relate to cost, maintenance and uncertainty over data ownership and access, particularly regarding who can view or request footage,” he added.
Currently, e-hailling operators do not provide dashcam, hence drivers would pay out of their pocket for dashcams.
“A basic dashcam typically costs around RM100 to RM300, which adds to the drivers’ existing operating costs. While dashcams are useful for safety and protection, the cost can be a burden for some drivers, especially if made compulsory without support,” he said.
He said installing a dashcam has several advantages.
“It helps protect drivers against false accusations, supports fair investigation of incidents or disputes and enhances overall safety for both drivers and passengers. In many cases, dashcam footage has proven crucial in resolving complaints objectively and efficiently,” he said.
Medo’s position is that the use of dashcams should be promoted through education and incentives first, rather than immediate enforcement. Our priority is to ensure that any policy introduced genuinely improves safety without placing undue pressure on gig workers,” he added.
As for regular drivers, while some hailed the use of dashcam, others viewed it as a hassle.
Businessman Mac Wong, an early dashcam user, said installing the device in his car proved to be invaluable.
Recounting an incident about a decade ago, he said a motorcycle travelling against traffic on a one-way street collided with his car and the rider accused him of being at fault.
The situation escalated when several of the motorcyclist’s friends arrived and attempted to blame him for the crash.
Wong, who is in his 50s said he eventually left the scene and lodged a police report.
“After explaining what had happened in my report, all I had to do was hand over the dashcam footage to the traffic police.
“The investigating officer took one look at it and concluded I was not at fault. That’s what a dashcam can do. It makes your life much easier when untoward incidents occur. Every car must have a dashcam,” Wong said, adding that it costs as low as RM100 to install a basic set.
Jimmy Gonzales, 30, is grateful that the dashcam recording helped him provide evidence during a road mishap.
“It helped during an accident as police could ascertain I was not in the wrong although the outcome of the case was not satisfactory,” the content writer said.
His car came with a front camera and he is now planning to install a dashcam for the back.
Astrid Lye, 40, said she was reluctant to install a dashcam as that would require the service of a mechanic.
On top of that, she had plans to change her 10 year old car.
However, there were times where she regretted her decision to not install a dashcam especially after an accident.
“I was not at fault and I was hit by another car at the roundabout. However, when we lodged a police report both cars did not have a dashcam, the police could not ascertain whose fault it was.
“No fines were imposed and the police report was registered for both drivers to claim insurance,” she said.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke reportedly said on Jan 13, that the ministry is still reviewing the implementation of telematics and dashcams in heavy vehicles, including buses.
Loke said the ministry plans to appoint several companies to conduct proof-of-concept trials for telematics devices, not only for buses but also for other commercial vehicles.
It was stated in the final report on the Gerik crash, that the Land Public Transport Agency was in the process of updating its safety guidelines which may see the installation of dashcams in buses and lorries being made mandatory in the first quarter of 2026.
