KUALA LUMPUR: Amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 will allow courts to order offenders convicted of serious road traffic offences to pay compensation to victims or their lawful next of kin, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the cabinet had agreed on July 15 to amend the Act to introduce the compensation mechanism.
"The amendments will provide a specific legal basis under the Act for courts to order compensation for victims or their families, in addition to imprisonment, fines and other penalties provided for by law," he said in reply to Datuk Ahmad bin Saad @ Yahaya (PN-Pokok Sena).
Loke said the Transport Ministry was discussing the proposed compensation mechanism with relevant ministries and agencies.
He said the move aimed to protect victims and their families, particularly in cases involving death, serious injury or permanent disability.
"The government believes that punishment for offenders should not focus solely on punitive measures such as imprisonment, fines and disqualification from driving, but should also take into account justice and restitution for affected victims and their families," he said.
He said compensation would be an additional responsibility for offenders and would not replace existing penalties.
He added that the government was committed to ensuring that drivers who caused deaths through dangerous and reckless driving faced the heaviest legal action appropriate to their cases.
The ministry would continue working with the Home Ministry, police and the Attorney-General's Chambers to ensure strict enforcement and appropriate penalties.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in tabling the 2027 Budget, said motorists who caused accidents while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be required to compensate their victims under a proposed amendment to the Act.
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