KUALA LUMPUR: Police are studying proposals to impose tougher penalties on motorists caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, while Malaysia's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit remains unchanged at 0.05%.
Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) director Comm Datuk Seri Mohammed Hasbullah Ali said the matter had been discussed by the police's top leadership, taking into account stricter laws enforced in countries such as Taiwan and Singapore.
"JSPT is also in discussions with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to strengthen the demerit points system so that enforcement action will have a greater impact on offenders.
"Among the proposals being studied are revoking the commercial driving licences and personal driving licences of those who commit serious offences.
"We will also submit proposals to the government to impose tougher penalties," he told a press conference on Wednesday (July 1).
Previously, it was reported that the government had been urged to review Malaysia's permissible BAC limit to reduce the risk of accidents involving drink-driving.
Bagan Serai MP Datuk Idris Ahmad was reported as saying that Malaysia's current BAC limit was higher than that of several Asian countries, including Japan and South Korea, which set the limit at 0.03%, while China imposes a limit of 0.02%.
He said the difference gave the impression that Malaysia had a more lenient approach towards drink-driving.
Meanwhile, Comm Mohammed Hasbullah said commercial transport companies should also be held accountable if they failed to ensure their drivers were free from drug or alcohol abuse.
He said JSPT was developing a profiling system covering drivers, transport companies and vehicles to strengthen future enforcement before the proposals are submitted to the government.
"We hope transport operators will conduct regular drug screening on their drivers, whether weekly or at least once a month.
"It is their responsibility to help ensure the safety of all road users," he said.
