Zulkifli backs Cabinet’s move to amend Act 333, making offenders pay compensation to road crash victims under syariah-based diyat mechanism
PUTRAJAYA: The Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) fully supports the Cabinet’s decision to amend the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) to make it mandatory for offenders to pay compensation to road crash victims.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said the legislative move was in line with the department’s ongoing efforts to examine the implementation of the ‘diyat’ mechanism, or syariah-based compensation, together with muftis and legal experts since Feb 11.
“We are ready to contribute our expertise to ensure that the court compensation mechanism is drafted in a manner that is fair, free from loopholes, and capable of protecting the rights of families who have lost their breadwinners,” he said in a statement today.
On Friday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the Cabinet had agreed in principle to amend Act 333 to empower the courts to order road crash offenders to pay compensation to victims or their next of kin as an additional punishment, on top of existing penalties.
Zulkifli said the Transport Ministry’s firm stance on road traffic offenders, particularly drunk and drug-impaired drivers, is appropriate.
“They should not be allowed to escape with only imprisonment and fines, but must instead be held fully financially accountable, to safeguard the welfare of the victims’ next of kin.
“Tragedies that claim lives due to gross negligence, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, are crimes that cannot be compromised with under any circumstances,” he said, adding that the amendment would also ensure that justice for victims was delivered swiftly without having to go through prolonged civil proceedings.
