KUALA LUMPUR: A compensation mechanism for victims of fatal road accidents and serious injuries is being considered, says Anthony Loke (pic).
The Transport Minister told the Dewan Rakyat that his ministry is proposing amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 [Act 333] to introduce a compensation mechanism.
“Under this proposal, the court will be empowered to order offenders convicted of serious offences under Act 333 to pay compensation to victims or their next of kin, based on the facts and merits of each case, including the extent of injury or death, losses suffered and the offender’s ability to pay,” he said.
He added that this reflects the government’s commitment that drivers who cause death through dangerous and reckless driving will not be treated as ordinary traffic offenders. They will face severe legal action equal with the circumstances of each case.
“The ministry will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers to ensure strict enforcement and appropriate punishment for the safety of all road users,” he said.
Loke was responding to a question by Tanjong Manis MP Yusuf Abd Wahab on the serious measures taken by the ministry to put a stop to illegal racing.
He had also asked if the ministry had plans to impose stricter punishments for cases which involve fatalities.
Loke recently told Parliament that road accidents in Malaysia continue to climb, with 273,668 crashes recorded in the first four months of this year after the country hit a record in 2025.
Loke said police data showed a worrying upward trend over the past three years, with road accidents rising from 739,877 cases in 2023 to 778,159 in 2024, before reaching a record 790,614 last year – an average annual increase of 3.39%.
