Road Transport (Amendment) Bill to be tabled at Dewan Negara next week

The Road Transport (Amendment) Bill, passed by the Dewan Rakyat on Aug 26, is expected to be tabled in Dewan Negara next week for approval and gazetted in an effort to curb driving under the influence of alcohol.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the amendment bill seeks to toughen the existing sentence involving a higher fine of up to RM150,000 and a jail term of more than 20 years as well as the suspension of the driver's licence.

The existing Act provides for imprisonment of between three and 10 years and a fine of between RM8,000 and RM20,000, if convicted.

“If the bill is approved and has the support of all members of the Senate, then after 30 days the bill can be gazetted. This is a heavy responsibility...we do not want to restrict anyone's right to drink alcohol, but the important thing is if you want to drink, do not drive, that is the clear message.

"Looking at accident statistics in the last five years, there is an increasing number of cases involving drunk drivers and based on a survey of 345,000 people, 94 per cent want drunk drivers to be severely punished," he said.

Wee said this at the opening ceremony of #Celebrate Responsibly and Dialogue Session on Drink Driving at Sin Chew Daily headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.

He said it was time for the government to warn and educate the public about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol.

"So heavier punishments, including fines and imprisonment should be sufficient to prevent people from committing these offences.

“For the amendment, we (the ministry) are following the standard set by the World Health Organisation (WHO)," he said.

The #Celebrate Responsibly campaign, organised by Sin Chew Daily in collaboration with Carlsberg Malaysia is aimed at raising awareness of the importance of individuals changing their attitudes so as not to drive in a drunken state.

-- BERNAMA