KUALA LUMPUR — The Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2026 was presented for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today, with proposals aimed at strengthening regulatory provisions and enforcement under the Road Transport Act.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke informed the House during the tabling that the second reading of the Bill will take place within the current parliamentary session, Bernama reported.
Based on the Bill text published on the official parliamentary portal, one of the key proposals is an increase in fines for several offences, from not less than RM300 to not less than RM500.
The offences include failing to display vehicle registration numbers, driving without a valid licence, speeding, not possessing a driving licence, breaching vehicle construction, equipment and usage requirements, disregarding traffic signals and instructions, and participating in illegal street racing.
Clause 13 proposes stiffer punishment for those caught driving while their licence is suspended, with penalties raised to a maximum of three years’ imprisonment or fines ranging from RM3,000 to RM10,000, compared with the current maximum of one year in jail or fines of up to RM5,000.
Clause 15 introduces a new Section 42A, making racing or speed-testing on public roads an offence. First-time offenders may face fines between RM2,000 and RM10,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both. Repeat offenders could be fined between RM5,000 and RM20,000, and face a minimum of five years’ jail, or both.
Elsewhere, Clause 37 proposes amending Section 120 to raise the maximum compound for compoundable offences from RM300 to RM500.
Clauses 28(a) and 28(b) seek stricter penalties for false statements, introducing fines of up to RM200,000 or imprisonment of up to 10 years.
Clause 22 proposes transferring Section 66 of Act 333 to empower the minister to set fees for entry permits issued to foreign-registered vehicles.
The Bill also expands the authority of police officers and road transport department personnel to regulate and redirect traffic.
It further outlines procedures for the seizure and disposal of micromobility vehicles, while also introducing a new offence of obstructing or assaulting enforcement officers, classified as an arrestable offence. — June 22, 2026