14/04/2026

TUESDAY | APR 14, 2026

3 No death penalty for fatal DUI cases

“We it. Amendments cannot be made every day. They have to wait for the parliamentary sitting.” Road Transport Department director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli on April 3 said the department had begun reviewing Sections 44 and 45 of the Road Transport Act following instructions from the Transport Ministry. Under Section 44, offenders who cause death while intoxicated face 10 to 15 years’ jail, a RM50,000 to RM100,000 fine and disqualification from holding a driving licence. Over 300 medical device are looking into PUTRAJAYA: The Medical Device Authority (MDA) received more than 300 complaints related to medical devices in 2025, all of which were investigated and followed by enforcement or legal actions against companies found to have breached regulations. Its chief executive Dr Muralitharan Paramasua said by the end of the year, approximately 10 companies were convicted for offences such as selling unregistered devices or operating without valid licences. “The rest involved licence suspensions or revocations. These were among the enforcement measures we are intensifying,” he said after the MDA Excellent Service Awards 2025 yesterday. He added that among the most frequently reported products were contact lenses, thermometers, blood pressure monitors, catheters and syringes, and consumable items. He emphasised that all medical devices marketed in Malaysia must undergo stringent evaluation and verification by the MDA to ensure their safety, especially for patient use. Muralitharan said the authority is also paying close attention to online sales channels, which have emerged as a key avenue for the distribution of unregistered products. “MDA will continue to intensify monitoring and enforcement against any party selling unregistered medical devices or operating without a valid licence, to ensure consumer safety is protected at all times” He also encouraged the public to report any suspicious sales activities involving medical devices as part of a collective effort to safeguard public health. Muralitharan also expressed appreciation to the media for helping to raise awareness of MDA’s role and the importance of medical device registration. “The media plays a crucial role, as their coverage has helped the public better understand that all medical devices must be registered and purchased from authorised representatives.” – Bernama complaints addressed

This was following the Klang crash that killed 33-year-old motorcyclist Amirul Hafiz Omar, in which a 28-year-old man was later charged with murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code. Law Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said on April 3 said existing penalties should be reviewed and strengthened to improve their deterrent effect. When asked about the latest development in the review of the Road Transport Act, Loke said amendments would have to wait for Parliament to reconvene.

“We want to take up this proposal because currently the avenue for the victim’s family is through civil action. That could be tedious, it could take a very long time and there are costs involved. “So instead of asking the victim’s family to take civil action, we could look at adding provisions to the current law. But not the death penalty.” On Mar 29, Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal urged the government to consider the death penalty for drunk drivers who cause fatal crashes.

o Govt focusing on easing compensation avenues for families of victims: Loke

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

avenue for compensation within the criminal process. “What we are looking at under the Road Transport Act is to ensure there is compensation for the victims’ families. “If (someone) is found guilty, then besides a jail sentence and a fine, they should also be liable to pay compensation.

KUALA LUMPUR: Road safety cannot rely solely on enforcement but must be built as a shared value and everyday responsibility, especially among youth, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said yesterday. He added that awareness campaigns should move beyond theory and help road users understand risks in a more practical way, including dangers posed by vehicle blind spots. Loke said recent fatal cases of road incidents showed that awareness alone is not enough without stronger understanding, responsibility and behavioural change. “Road safety cannot rely solely on enforcement. It must be embedded as a shared value and responsibility, especially among our younger generation.” KUALA LUMPUR: The government is not looking at imposing the death penalty for fatal drink-driving cases, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said, adding that the review of the Road Transport Act 1987 can only move with the next parliamentary sitting in June. He said the government is instead focusing on tightening the law so offenders convicted of causing death while driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs could be ordered to compensate victims’ families, instead of leaving them to pursue separate civil suits. He added that existing laws provide room for prosecutors to pursue more serious charges where warranted, dismissing calls from some quarters for the death penalty to be specifically introduced under road traffic laws. “This is not something which we are looking at. Currently, even without the death sentence on the Road Transport Act, the Attorney General Chambers can still charge somebody under Section 302 (of the Penal Code for murder),” Loke said in response to previous Opposition calls for death penalty charges in DUI cases. He was speaking after launching the Spot It - Road Safety and Blind Spot Awareness programme at the Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology yesterday. He said the amendments now being studied are aimed at giving victims’ families a more direct

Loke inspects a vehicle during the launch of the road safety programme. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

‘Road safety must be built as shared value, responsibility’

industry players to support similar efforts, saying changing road behaviour requires sustained commitment, consistent messaging and cooperation across sectors. TAR UMT president Prof Datuk Dr Lee Sze Wei, during his keynote speech, said the campaign reflected the university’s effort to connect education with real-world responsibility and safer everyday habits. “Safety does not happen by chance, it happens by choice.” Also present at the launch were Child Passenger Safety Malaysia chairman Dr Jchanet Tan, representatives from Global Road Safety Alliance, the Road Transport Department and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research. – By Faiz Ruzman

would shape road culture in the years ahead. He added that compliance with traffic rules should not be driven only by fear of summonses, but also by an understanding that such rules were meant to protect lives. The two-day campaign, held from yesterday to today, brings together students, road safety advocates, enforcement agencies and industry partners through exhibitions, interactive activities and demonstrations focused on blind spot risks and safer road behaviour. He also said the programme reflects a broader effort to turn road safety into a long-term platform for education, beginning with universities and expanding into the wider community. He urged more organisations and

He was speaking after launching the Spot It - Road Safety and Blind Spot Awareness programme at the Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) yesterday. He also said the campaign was meaningful because it focused on practical exposure, adding that blind spots were often discussed but rarely experienced directly by road users. “Through initiatives such as this, students can physically see and understand these risks. “We move from theory to reality. This is how we create lasting impact and safer decision-making on the road.” Loke said young people were not just participants in such programmes, but current and future drivers, riders and decision-makers whose attitudes

Higher education institutions vital in fighting corruption

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Anti Corruption Plan initiative has underscored the vital role of higher education institutions as the first line of defence in the fight against corruption in the country. Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia in a statement yesterday said the Integrity and Anti

such as the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission Act 2009, (the course) aims to shape a generation that understands, rejects and stands firmly against corruption in all aspects of life, in line with the National Anti-Corruption Plan.” The university added that the impact of the pedagogy cannot be

Corruption Course, a compulsory General Studies subject in all institutions as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions, is a key instrument in nurturing an integrity-savvy generation. “Through comprehensive modules covering key legislation

measured within a single term, but is reflected in every decision made by graduates throughout their careers. The statement also said the university does not compromise on governance and remains open to improving its systems to close any room for irregularities. – Bernama