The Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2026 aims to raise fines and introduce tougher penalties for traffic offences in Malaysia.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2026 was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today, and aims to strengthen regulatory and enforcement powers of the Act.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke informed the House while tabling the Bill that the second reading will be held during the current parliamentary session.
According to the text of the Bill published on the official Parliament portal, the Bill provides for, among other things, an increase in fines from not less than RM300 to not less than RM500 for several offences.
These include failing to display a vehicle registration number, not possessing a licence, driving without a valid driving licence, speeding, violating requirements relating to the construction, equipment, and use of vehicles, disregarding traffic instructions and signals, and engaging in illegal street racing.
Clause 13 of the Bill proposes heavier penalties for individuals who drive while their driving licence is suspended, with the punishment increased to imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of between RM3,000 and RM10,000, compared with the previous penalty of a maximum one-year jail term or a fine of up to RM5,000.
In addition, Clause 15 introduces a new section, Section 42A, which would make racing or speed-testing on public roads an offence punishable by a fine of RM2,000 to RM10,000, up to two years jail, or both for a first conviction, while for a second conviction, a fine between RM5,000 and RM20,000, jail of not less than five years or both will apply.
Also, Clause 37 seeks to amend Section 120 to increase the maximum compound amount for compoundable offences from RM300 to RM500, Clause 28 and sub-clauses 28(a) and 28(b) propose stricter penalties for making false statements, with fines of up to RM200,000 or 10 years’ jail, and Clause 22 proposes the transfer of Section 66 of Act 333 to empower the Minister to prescribe fees relating to the issuance of entry permits for foreign motor vehicles.
The Bill also grants broader powers to police officers and road transport officers to control and redirect traffic.
Finally, the amendments will establish procedures for the detention and disposal of micromobility vehicles and introduce the offence of obstructing or assaulting enforcement officers, which would be classified as an arrestable offence.
