MPs propose licence revocation, rehabilitation, and stricter penalties to combat illegal racing under the Road Transport Act.
KUALA LUMPUR: Members of Parliament (MPs) today proposed various measures to strengthen efforts to combat illegal racing, including the implementation of a special rehabilitation programme, revocation of driving licences, and stricter action related to motorcycle modifications.
While debating the Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat, Khairil Nizam Khirudin (PN-Jerantut) proposed that the government implement a special rehabilitation programme encompassing disciplinary aspects and community service as an addition to the existing penalties to educate offenders.
He also urged the government to take stricter action against workshops that modify motorcycles to enable the vehicles to be used for illegal street racing.
“The Ministry of Transport (MOT) can collaborate with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) and consider using provisions under Section 66 of the Road Transport Act 1987 to draft new methods or regulations so that action can be taken against workshops involved in illegal motorcycle modifications for illegal racing,” he said.
He also suggested that the parents of individuals involved in illegal racing be held accountable to enhance the accountability of the family institution in addressing this issue.
Meanwhile, Datuk Willie Mongin (GPS-Puncak Borneo) proposed that a strict penalty of permanent revocation of driving licences for illegal street racers be added to the fines and imprisonment provided for in the Bill.
“I propose that the minimum fine be RM300,000 or five years in prison, and the offender’s driving licence should be permanently revoked. We need to show that our government is serious,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wan Razali Wan Nor (PN-Kuantan) urged that the provisions of Section 42A should apply to all illegal racing activities, covering all types of vehicles, including high-powered vehicles.
He also referred to the accident incident in Simpang Renggam, Johor on June 1, which involved luxury vehicles and claimed several lives, as evidence of the serious impact of illegal racing.
“This tragedy shows that illegal racing does not only involve motorcycles, but also cars, which can have very severe and even more tragic effects on society,” he said.
Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir (PN-Setiu) proposed that the government consider the disposal or destruction of motorcycles that have been excessively modified as a stricter measure to combat illegal racing activities.
The new provision for the illegal gambling offence was also touched upon by several other MPs, including Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH-Bukit Bendera), Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong) and Mohd Nazri Abu Hassan (PN-Merbok).
In addition to the issue of illegal racing, MPs also urged the government to strengthen provisions related to driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, including establishing a compensation mechanism for hospital costs and welfare for victims.
Jeli MP Zahari Kechik suggested that the scope of amendments to Sections 44 and 45A to 45C of the Road Transport Act 1987 be further strengthened to provide proper justice to accident victims caused by individuals driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
He recommended that a form of compensation mechanism for hospital costs and victim welfare be established, in line with the intentions previously stated by the MOT to ensure that drunk offenders are fully accountable for the physical impact on the victims.
That view was supported by Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Abd Muttalib (PN-Maran), who hopes that the existing enforcement will be further strengthened to address fatal accidents involving drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
A total of 24 government and opposition MPs participated in the debate session on the Bill today. The Dewan Rakyat sitting will continue tomorrow.
