Kuala lumpur: The Dewan Rakyat today passed the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2026, which, among others, aims to curb illegal street racing and speed-testing activities involving all types of vehicles. The Bill was passed by a voice vote after being debated by 43 government and opposition MPs since yesterday.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, in winding up the debate, stated that a new Section 42A would allow enforcement action against illegal racing activities without having to wait until an accident, injury, or fatality occurs. He mentioned that the amendment would address a loophole in existing legislation, which had made it difficult to prosecute illegal racers, as authorities previously needed to prove the presence of danger or actual consequences from the offence.
Under Section 42A, the act of racing or speed testing itself becomes a specific offence, applicable to any person racing on a road involving two or more motor vehicles, including cars. Loke also highlighted an increase in the maximum compound rate from RM300 to RM500 for selected offences, emphasizing that the amendment was aimed at balancing deterrence, the seriousness of offences, and fairness under Act 333.
The government has also considered proposals that vehicles extensively modified for illegal racing should not be returned to their owners, although any forfeiture or disposal would have to comply with due legal process. On Section 110B, Loke explained that the provision was introduced to curb the activities of 'tontos', who aid offenders in evading enforcement actions by obstructing, tailing, interfering, and leaking operational information.
Additionally, the amendment introduces a legal definition for micromobility vehicles, including electrically powered, engine-powered, or human-powered vehicles subject to prescribed speed limits, with regulations aimed at ensuring their safe use. The government has taken into account the usage of micromobility vehicles by students, the B40 group, and persons with disabilities, emphasizing the safe use of Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs) in designated areas such as pedestrian walkways and residential neighborhoods.
During the debate, Datuk Dr. Richard Rapu (GPS-Betong) remarked that the success of the amendments should be measured by their effectiveness in addressing driver negligence and behavior, which contribute to more than 80 percent of fatal road accidents, rather than higher compound collections or fines. He suggested stricter implementation of the law, including automatic suspension of licenses for repeat traffic offenders.
Meanwhile, Datuk Dr. Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) called for a clearer definition of hit-and-run offences in the amended law and advocated for stronger enforcement against drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs, recommending tougher penalties such as license suspension. Tan Hong Pin (PH-Bakri) proposed a comprehensive road safety strategy based on the '3E' approach - engineering, education, and enforcement - to improve compliance and road safety.