Road Transport (Amendment) Bill Introduces Specific Offence For Illegal Racing

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 (Bernama) -- The Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2025 introduces a specific offence for illegal racing and speed trials on public roads, with repeat offenders facing up to five years' imprisonment.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the proposed Section 42A would make racing or speed testing a standalone offence under the Road Transport Act 1987.

He said first-time offenders would face a fine of between RM2,000 and RM10,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both upon conviction.

"For second and subsequent convictions, the penalties are a fine of between RM5,000 and RM20,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both," he said when tabling the Bill for its second reading in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Loke said illegal racing cases are currently dealt with under dangerous driving provisions, but existing laws do not specifically criminalise racing or speed testing, creating enforcement challenges.

He said the new provision would allow authorities to take action without having to wait for an accident, injury or loss of life to occur.

"For example, if two or more motorcyclists race or test their speed against one another on a public road, action can be taken even if no accident occurs. The same applies to motorists who illegally use public roads to test vehicle speeds," he said.

Meanwhile, Loke said the Bill also introduces Section 110B to curb tonto activities that have long hampered enforcement efforts.

Under the proposed provision, individuals who obstruct, interfere with, assault, threaten or follow enforcement officers' vehicles, or share information on enforcement operations to help offenders evade legal action, may face a fine of between RM10,000 and RM50,000, imprisonment of between one and five years, or both.

The offence would also be classified as arrestable.

Loke said the amendment aims to strengthen enforcement operations, particularly against offences involving overloading, non-compliant vehicles and commercial vehicles.

The Bill also seeks to revise minimum fines, penalties and compound limits for selected offences, increasing the amount from RM300 to RM500, although offenders will not automatically be issued RM500 compounds.

He said the amendment would raise the maximum compound offer limit for compoundable offences, while the actual amount imposed would depend on the nature and severity of the offence, the settlement period and prescribed procedures.

The new maximum compound rates are proposed to take effect on Jan 1, 2029.

-- BERNAMA