Fatal crash drivers could face asset seizure if compensation to victims unpaid, says Loke

The Malaysian government is drafting amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987, aimed at establishing a mandatory compensation mechanism for victims of fatal crashes caused by reckless driving and DUI.

These amendments may include empowering courts to seize assets of convicted drivers who fail to pay court-ordered compensation.

The Transport Ministry is considering stricter penalties, such as heavier fines or longer prison sentences, to ensure financial restitution to victims' families.

The proposed changes, aligned with international and Islamic principles, address public demand for better victim compensation, with the legislative process expected to culminate in Parliament by early 2027.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — Proposed amendments to federal road transport laws could empower courts to seize the assets of drivers convicted of fatal crashes if they fail to pay court-ordered compensation to victims’ families, Transport Minister Anthony Loke told Parliament today.

The government is currently drafting amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) to establish a mandatory compensation mechanism for victims and next-of-kin affected by reckless driving and driving under the influence (DUI).

Replying during Question Time, Loke revealed that the ministry is exploring asset seizure alongside tougher secondary penalties, such as heavier fines or extended prison sentences to prevent convicted drivers from evading financial restitution.

“What happens if they are unable to pay that compensation? Under existing provisions in other acts, if they cannot afford to pay the compensation, there may be an additional fine or a heavier prison sentence imposed, on top of the original sentence,” the minister said.

“Secondly, we are also looking into whether the seizure of the offender’s assets can be carried out,” he added.

“However, I do not want to make any premature judgments because this matter is still under study as to what the best mechanism would be... the underlying spirit is indeed about finding a mechanism to ensure that the compensation can truly be paid to the heirs or families of the victims.”

The legal overhaul follows heightened public outcry over recurring fatal crashes caused by impaired drivers. Under current legislation, while offenders face imprisonment, heavy fines, and licence disqualifications, victims’ families are often forced to endure lengthy, costly civil proceedings to claim damages.

The proposed amendments under Act 333, according to the government, align with international legal principles and the Islamic concept of diyat, or financial compensation to the victim’s heirs.

The Cabinet approved the policy in principle earlier this year, and Loke stated that the amendment bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament in early 2027, following final policy formulation, legislative drafting by the Attorney General’s Chambers, and stakeholder engagements.

Sultan Ibrahim attends day two of 273rd Conference of Rulers

Defence lawyer denies family statements in Irene Sofiya case, warns against fabricated social media posts

Malaysia’s births fall 4.5pc in 2025 as fertility rate drops to 1.5 children per woman

马来西亚政府正在起草对 1987 年《道路交通法》的修正案，旨在为因鲁莽驾驶和酒后驾驶造成的致命交通事故的受害者建立强制性赔偿机制。

这些修正案可能包括赋予法院权力，没收未支付法院判决赔偿金的被定罪司机的资产。

交通部正在考虑更严厉的处罚措施，例如提高罚款额度或延长刑期，以确保受害者家属获得经济赔偿。

拟议的改革符合国际和伊斯兰原则，旨在满足公众对受害者获得更好赔偿的要求，预计立法程序将于 2027 年初在议会完成。

吉隆坡，10 月 15 日讯——交通部长陆兆福今天在国会表示，拟议的联邦道路运输法修正案可能会赋予法院权力，如果被判犯有致命车祸罪的司机未能向受害者家属支付法院判决的赔偿金，法院可以没收他们的资产。

政府目前正在起草对 1987 年道路交通法（第 333 号法案）的修正案，以建立针对鲁莽驾驶和酒后驾驶 (DUI) 受害者及其近亲的强制性赔偿机制。

在问答环节中，陆兆福透露，交通部正在研究没收资产以及更严厉的次要处罚措施，例如更重的罚款或更长的监禁期限，以防止被定罪的司机逃避经济赔偿。

“如果他们无力支付赔偿金怎么办？根据其他法律的现有规定，如果他们无力支付赔偿金，除了原判刑罚外，还可能被处以额外的罚款或更重的刑罚，”部长说。

“其次，我们还在研究是否可以没收罪犯的资产，”他补充道。

“但是，我不想妄下断言，因为这个问题仍在研究最佳机制是什么……其根本目的确实是找到一种机制，以确保受害者的继承人或家属能够真正获得赔偿。”

此次法律改革源于公众对酒驾司机屡次引发致命车祸的强烈抗议。根据现行法律，虽然违法者将面临监禁、巨额罚款和吊销驾照的处罚，但受害者家属往往被迫经历漫长而昂贵的民事诉讼才能获得赔偿。

政府表示，根据第 333 号法案提出的修正案符合国际法律原则和伊斯兰教的“迪亚特”（diyat，即对受害者继承人的经济补偿）概念。

内阁今年早些时候原则上批准了这项政策，陆兆福表示，在最终政策制定、总检察署起草立法以及与利益相关者进行沟通之后，预计将于 2027 年初向国会提交修正案。

苏丹易卜拉欣出席第273届统治者大会第二天会议

辩护律师否认家属在艾琳·索菲亚案中的证词，并警告公众提防捏造的社交媒体帖子。

马来西亚2025年出生率将下降4.5%，生育率将降至每名女性1.5个孩子。