Intoxicated driving case which killed motorcyclist triggers renewed outrage

The death of a motorcyclist yesterday morning, following a collision with a driver who tested positive for alcohol and drugs, has reignited public fury over the menace of impaired driving on Malaysian roads.

The case, which occurred at Jalan Raya Barat in Klang, saw the driver of a Honda City going at high speed in the opposite direction and attempting to overtake cars before ramming into the motorcyclist.

The impact caused the victim, who died on the spot, to spin in the air a few times before landing on the roof of another nearby car.

Earlier today, South Klang district police chief Lim Jit Huey said the Klang Magistrate’s Court has granted a four-day remand order for the driver in his 20s.

The case is being investigated under Section 44(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 on driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and causing death, as well as Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 pertaining to the consumption of dangerous drugs.

Under Section 44 of the Road Transport Act, those found guilty of causing death can be jailed between 10 and 15 years, fined between RM50,000 and RM100,000, and barred from holding a driving licence for 10 years.

Repeat offenders are liable to a jail term between 15 and 20 years, a fine between RM100,000 and RM150,000, as well as having their licence withheld for 20 years.

The Dangerous Drugs Act section allows for a maximum fine of RM5,000 or an imprisonment term of up to two years.

‘Extreme negligence’

Reacting to the case, various figures have urged the government to take firmer steps towards studying the implementation of the death penalty for intoxicated drivers whose reckless actions result in the loss of other lives.

In a statement, opposition lawmaker Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal labelled the incident as not just an accident, but a form of “extreme negligence" that should be considered a serious crime against society.

“Evidently, existing punishments have failed to provide an adequate deterrent. Such incidents continue to recur, proving that current legal approaches are no longer sufficient to address the increasingly worrying issue of drink driving.

“This is not merely about punishment, but a clear message that human life cannot be taken lightly and any action endangering others will face the heaviest consequences,” the Machang MP said.

The sacked Bersatu member added that those who opt to man vehicles despite being under the influence should be deemed as having an “intent to kill” as their actions carry a high risk of claiming the lives of others.

Eye for an eye, blood money

Expressing similar sentiments, PAS Youth chief and Alor Setar MP Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden advocated for the “a life for a life” principle, asserting that under Islamic law, a victim’s family can decide the perpetrator’s fate.

Following a spate of drink driving incidents in 2020, including three fatal cases, lawmakers had likewise called for harsher punishments against offenders, with PAS figures at the time mooting a temporary halt in alcohol sales until the issue was resolved.

Mirroring trends then, current online narratives appear to be heavily charged with racial and religious undertones, with social media users partaking in divisive debates.

Also highlighting the plight faced by victims’ families, Selangor PAS commissioner Ab Halim Tamuri suggested that compensation should be automatically awarded to them if a driver is found guilty, without having to go through “lengthy and burdensome” civil suits.

He proposed that the principle of diyat (blood money) be considered as an additional mechanism within the existing legal framework, arguing that the approach is in line with the values of justice and compassion in Islam.

Besides calling for the permanent revocation of driving licences for those convicted of causing deaths by drink driving, Halim also urged Putrajaya to create a database of individuals identified as alcoholics, with the “special list” to aid systematic monitoring and intervention efforts.

“Support systems, including free counselling and rehabilitation programmes for individuals facing alcohol addiction, must be empowered so that the issue is addressed from its roots,” he added.

Heavier punishments needed

DAP’s Banting assemblyperson V Papparaidu stressed that the law on driving under the influence must be enforced without compromise and, if necessary, amended to include heavier punishments such as caning and maximum imprisonment.

“The lives of the people should not be at stake due to the irresponsible attitude of a few. Roads must be safe for everyone,” he said in a statement today.

The Selangor state executive councillor for human resources and poverty eradication also conveyed his condolences to the family of the victim, who was a father to three young children.

MIC deputy president M Saravanan emphasised that in order to reflect the gravity of the situation, those who drive recklessly and cause deaths while intoxicated must face the “heaviest possible deterrent sentences”.

“We must reinforce the message that risky driving has immediate consequences. While legal penalties are necessary, we need a comprehensive system that promotes safe driving and public awareness,” the Tapah MP said in a statement.

He added that legal deterrents alone are “not enough” as they should be coupled with effective enforcement, including the use of high-speed cameras, frequent roadside checks, and ramping up visible police presence.

In a post on X, Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman cited statistics on drink-driving cases which have caused deaths, following amendments to the Road Transport Act in 2020.

According to the data, she said 2,306 such cases were recorded in 2022, followed by 1,989 in 2023, 1,589 in 2024, and 508 between January and June last year.

The DAP lawmaker added that she agrees with the proposed amendments on providing commensurate compensation to the victims’ families and the need for strict enforcement around hotspot areas.

The matter, she noted, also cuts across various ministries and thus requires full coordination from relevant authorities to prevent similar incidents.

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