Govt proposing heavier sentence for drunk drivers, driving under the influence – up to 20 years jail

Govt proposing heavier sentence for drunk drivers, driving under the influence – up to 20 years jail

It is being proposed that drivers who are found guilty driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), and driving dangerously causing death, face up to 20 years jail, said minister in the prime minister’s department (law) Datuk Liew Vui Keong, reported by Bernama.

He said that the cabinet has by principle agreed with the suggestion of the transport ministry to impose a heavier sentence on such drivers.

“I leave it to the transport ministry to take steps to make it law in the Dewan Rakyat. Those who are careless or drunk have to take responsibility and be given the appropriate punishment if found guilty,” he told the media in Putrajaya yesterday.

On January 29, transport minister Anthony Loke said the Road Transport Act 1987 will be amended to give a heavier sentence to those who drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and drive dangerously resulting in death. He was reported saying that it involves amendments to three sections in the act, which are sections 41, 44 and 45.

Currently, DUI cases are charged under Section 41(1) that allows for jail of at least two years and maximum 10 years, and a fine not less than RM5,000 and maximum RM20,000.

Asked about the suggestion by some parties that drunk drivers that cause death be charged under Section 304 of the Penal Code for causing death without intent, Liew said that road offences are under the Road Transport Act 1987 and it depends on the court’s judgement after reviewing the prosecutor’s case.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Andey on Feb 14, 2020 at 10:45 am

    good move, long overdue

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
    • s.Ibrahim on Feb 14, 2020 at 12:49 pm

      In Islam, if you kill someone, you have to bear the living cost of the dead person’s parents and family until the end.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 1
      • I think this is more fair than just 20 years in jail, eating from our taxpayer money. The punishment for taking care of the decease relatives can last the lifetime of the felon. This is far more fairer to both parties.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
      • Mustafa Habib on Feb 14, 2020 at 4:17 pm

        Drunk driving is the worst. But as bad as drunk driving is Rempit also. Too many rempit nowadays and many people are being killed on the road as we avoid these people racing.

        We must teach these Rempit people some education. Many of them come from big families with 6 to 12 kids each family, so parents have no time to give the kids individual attention.

        I hope parents teach their kids not to be dangerous on the road. From basikal lajak to rempit.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 31 Thumb down 5
        • Dredd on Feb 14, 2020 at 5:33 pm

          Rempits don’t kill as many as drunk drivers did. Better for harsher punishment on drunk drivers as their ego and spoiled nature has caused these accidents.

          We must teach these spoiled brats & their parents some education. Many of them come from small families with 1 to 2 kids each family. So parents keep spending and spoiling them, and they grew up to be devils instead of adults.

          This spoiled attitude translates to selfish and recklessness on the road causing deaths onto others.

          I hope the government teach their parents how to be better parents or else stop them from having spoiled kids. So they don’t raise to be devils and dangerous on the road. From spoiled devils to murderers.

          Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 58 Thumb down 2
        • s.Ibrahim on Feb 14, 2020 at 5:49 pm

          That is okay. Most Rempits will have to support the families of those they killed until they die of old age. What about drunk drivers? Stay in prison comfortably eating our taxpayer money and after 20 years get out scottfree while the families of those killed continue to suffer for generations. How is that fair to our Rempits who has to shoulder a heavier burden? If they Rempit, that is caused they can carry such burden. What about drunk drivers? No burden??? Cipoodah!

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • How about to increase the minimum fine to RM100k?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • john is otak batu on Feb 14, 2020 at 3:34 pm

      How about 30% of their monthly income till 60years old?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
  • Thinking with an objective mind on Feb 14, 2020 at 11:09 am

    Malaysia have the harshest penalty for drug trafficking for decades and look at where we are at today. Heavier penalties are a populist proposal …but Mr Law Minister….do think of being effective instead by working with your other cabinet members for a holistic solution: focus on doing better deterrents/education/awareness from young by working together across different ministries to save Malaysians from dying on the roads daily.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 4
  • Dredd on Feb 14, 2020 at 11:27 am

    Murderers kills someone and gets death penalty.
    Drunk driver kills someone and only gets 20 years jail???
    What PH justice is this?!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 4
  • Nissan Go on Feb 14, 2020 at 11:33 am

    Maybe can follow other countries.. Once drunk man hit people in the street.. whole medical expenses must be paid by drunk man or woman including death or permanent loss, whole life treatment.. and their lost of family breadwinner income..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 1
  • M50B25 on Feb 14, 2020 at 11:39 am

    Please include motorcyclists too

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 2
  • Ben Yap on Feb 14, 2020 at 11:48 am

    the sentence is still too light. Causing death leaves a permanent lifelong mark in the victim’s family and friends. if the victim is the sole bread winner, the damage will be even greater. Also putting the reckless driver in prison for 20 years is also a waste of tax payer’s money. the law has already clearly stated that it’s a serious offence to drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol. yet people still remain defiant. there are many ways now for these drunk people to go home whereby they can get an e-hailing car. in which they don’t do so and remain ignorant and defiant. A life that is loss cannot be replaced. it’s someone’s father, mother, sister, brother and relatives that this drunk drivers have killed and taken away from their families. The government should enforce death sentence for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. through death sentence, these drivers will think twice before they drink and drive. i believe victims’ family will agree that punishable by death is a fair sentence and good deterrent.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 2
  • Corona Extra Yeast Lump on Feb 14, 2020 at 11:49 am

    Car crashes or motorcycle crashes or heavy vehicle crashes under clumsiness carelessness goes unreported…All lumped into category of “Lost of Control”.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Henry on Feb 14, 2020 at 11:59 am

    Typical knee jerk response.

    How about enforcing existing laws strictly first before talking about heavier sentencing?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • Good… Drink and drive is very dangerous…

    WoW… Police sure happy with the news…

    “You know, I know” BUT, I don’t know…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • loveMal on Feb 14, 2020 at 12:54 pm

    so many punishment, not effective, they can still escape during trial. best way is to disallow alcoholic drink or whatever drink that can cause drunken master in Malaysia

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 8
  • Bieight on Feb 14, 2020 at 1:15 pm

    Death sentence

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • dong gor on Feb 14, 2020 at 1:38 pm

    It’s a serious offence that should be taken seriously by all means. But jail time of 20 yrs? You are literally killing the accuse’s life, arent you? just slowly… with more social acceptance.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 5
  • Look South on Feb 14, 2020 at 1:52 pm

    I welcome the stiffer penalties, but 20 years seems over the moon! We can bench mark against other countries with stiff penalties. More importantly, and as always, we need enforcement. No enforcement is as good as not having any laws….simply put even with stiffer penalties, if there is no enforcement, it is not a deterrent.
    At the same time, increase the penalty for thos use handphones while driving too, or playing games while driving!
    And please do carry out enforcement!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • vivizurianti on Feb 14, 2020 at 3:42 pm

    Malaysian mentality: Drunk driving is ONLY an offence, when getting caught by the enforcer ppl.

    However, in Malaysia enforcement is disgustingly weak and almost non-existence.

    Surely, this BS goes round and round and round……and never be solved.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Laws are fancy and all, but where’s the enforcement with no corruption?

    Please extend this punishment/enforcement to text/phone while driving. Far too many numbnuts on the road swerving erratically, not paying any attention while driving, and has the balls to want to fight back even being warned/honked at while text/driving/call/instawhoring their sh1ts for life away.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • 62000 on Feb 15, 2020 at 2:15 am

    Only applies to people without connections

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • ASker! on Feb 17, 2020 at 2:12 pm

    Hi all,

    May i know where the RM100k fined goes? To gov or family members?
    Please answer politely.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Gurkha on Feb 18, 2020 at 9:17 am

    Long overdue. If I may add, this should includes illegal racing and any other act that falls into that. In another words it should not be just for DUI.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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