Illegal street racing and speed trials on public roads could soon become a specific criminal offence under the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2025, with repeat offenders facing up to five years’ imprisonment.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the proposed Section 42A would establish racing or speed testing as a standalone offence under the Road Transport Act 1987, addressing gaps in the current law where such cases are prosecuted under dangerous driving provisions.
Under the amendment, first-time offenders may be fined between RM2,000 and RM10,000, jailed for up to two years, or both. Those convicted for a second or subsequent offence could face fines ranging from RM5,000 to RM20,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
Tabling the Bill for its second reading in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday, Loke said the new provision would allow enforcement authorities to act against illegal racers without having to wait for an accident, injury or loss of life to occur.
He said action could be taken against motorcyclists racing each other or motorists using public roads to test vehicle speeds, even if no crash takes place.
The Bill also introduces Section 110B aimed at curbing tonto activities that have long disrupted enforcement operations.
Individuals found obstructing, interfering with, threatening or assaulting enforcement officers, following enforcement vehicles or sharing information on operations to help offenders evade action could face fines of between RM10,000 and RM50,000, imprisonment of one to five years, or both. The offence would also be classified as arrestable.
Loke said the amendments are intended to strengthen enforcement efforts, particularly against offences involving overloaded vehicles, non-compliant vehicles and commercial transport operators. The Bill also proposes raising the maximum compound limit for compoundable offences, with new rates expected to take effect from Jan 1, 2029.
