ONLINE NEWS: FATAL ‘DRUNK DRIVING' KLANG CRASH PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON ENFORCEMENT, ACCOUNTABILITY

KUALA LUMPUR: A fatal crash in Klang on Sunday has reignited debate over how far Malaysia should go in punishing drink-driving.

In the 11.40am incident in Jalan Raya Barat, a Honda City driven by a suspect in his 20s overtook several vehicles before entering another lane and crashing into a motorcycle.

The motorcyclist, Amirul Hafiz Omar, in his 30s, was flung onto another car and died at the scene.

According to police, the suspect, who has been remanded, tested positive for alcohol and drugs. The case is being investigated under Section 44(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

The offence under Section 44(1) of the Road Transport Act carries a jail term of up to 15 years and a fine of up to RM100,000 upon conviction.

While current laws provide for jail terms, fines, and revocation of an offender’s driving licence for a period, calls are being made for stricter punishment and for Malaysia to introduce a roadmap to address drink-driving.

Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal is among those urging the government to consider the death penalty for offenders responsible for fatal crashes, while Jerantut MP Khairil Nizam Khirudin has called for lifetime driving bans.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the ministry viewed the incident seriously and is drafting amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 to make it mandatory for offenders to pay compensation to victims’ families.

DAP Secretary for International Affairs Kasthuri Patto said prevention is key to reducing casualties and fatalities linked to drink-driving.

“Malaysia must have a five to 10-year plan to tackle drink-driving. There must also be input from the government and stakeholders, with the community working together to prevent alcohol abuse,” she said.

“This is not a war on alcohol but on drunk drivers. Law alone is not enough, no matter how strict. Frequent and unannounced checks by police are needed to weed out offenders.”

She added that body cameras should be mandatory for police, traffic police and Road Transport Department officers to strengthen cases against offenders who fail urine, breath and blood tests.

“The public must support this too. I have seen WhatsApp messages alerting others to roadblocks and breathalyser tests. How is this supposed to help combat drink-driving?”

Kasthuri added that in countries such as Sweden, Belgium, Finland, France, Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, Italy, Australia, Canada, the United States and New Zealand, alcohol interlocks are used for repeat offenders, requiring a clean breath sample before a vehicle can be started.

Last October, Loke said in a written parliamentary reply to Kuantan MP Wan Razali Wan Nor that from 2022 until June 2025, 41 fatalities were linked to drink-driving out of 22,104 total road deaths nationwide.

While this represents a relatively small proportion, experts say even a single preventable death underscores the need for stronger accountability.

Criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy said Malaysia has adequate legal provisions to address drink-driving but stressed the need for better compliance, stronger enforcement and greater public awareness.

“If you know you are going to drink, even if it is at a friend’s house in the same neighbourhood, why do you still drive? That shows how irresponsible people can be,” said Sundramoorthy, an honorary associate professor at the Centre for Policy Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia.

“There are many e-hailing services available. If you can afford to drink, why can’t you afford a ride? There are also services that send a driver to take you and your vehicle home.”

Sundramoorthy said some drivers use Waze to check for roadblocks.

“If you think you can beat the system, you are wrong,” he said.

“The solution lies in education from a young age. We must be accountable. Even over short distances, you are still impaired.

“You cannot say you only drank two glasses. There are many factors that can lead to fatal accidents. You may not be intoxicated but still impaired and unable to make sound judgment on the road,” he added.