THE Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2026, which introduces several new aspects, comes into effect today.
The amendments to the Act are intended to strengthen road safety and enhance the effectiveness of enforcement.
In a statement, the Ministry of Transport announced that the amendments—comprising 42 clauses—also encompass efforts to combat illegal racing and the activities of ‘tonto’ (illegal touts/informants who tip off offenders about enforcement operations).
The amendments include expanding the digitalisation of Road Transport Department (JPJ) services and imposing stricter penalties for the forgery of vehicle documents.
A key change is the introduction of Section 42A, which establishes racing or speed-testing on public roads as a specific offence, thereby enabling targeted enforcement action.
“For the first conviction, an offender may be liable to a fine of between RM2,000 and RM10,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. For a second or subsequent conviction, the penalty increases to a fine of between RM5,000 and RM20,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both,” the statement noted.
The amendment also introduces Section 110B to address the activities of ‘tonto ’-specifically those who obstruct or interfere with enforcement operations—such as by tailing enforcement vehicles or relaying operational information to help certain parties evade legal action.
Offenders convicted of this offence may face a fine of between RM10,000 and RM50,000, imprisonment for a term of one to five years, or both.
This offence is also classified as an arrestable one.
Regarding technology-based enforcement, the amendment to Section 53B strengthens the accountability of registered owners for offences detected via enforcement cameras, including automated enforcement systems.
“Amendments to several provisions serve to reinforce the legal basis for the use of electronic licenses, documents, records, and notices.
“This includes streamlining vehicle and driver licensing processes, as well as enabling digital accident reporting, subject to established procedures,” it further explained.
In a related development, the Ministry of Transport has clarified that the maximum compound limit for compoundable offences will be increased from a cap of RM300 to RM500, a change that will only take effect starting January 1, 2029.
This date has been set to provide road users with an adequate transition period, in line with the commitment made during the tabling of the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2026 in Parliament.
Meanwhile, this increase in the maximum limit does not mean that all traffic offences will automatically incur a RM500 compound.
Instead, the specific compound amount offered will depend on the nature of the offence and the procedures established under the Road Transport Act 1987. – October 16, 2026