Dangerous driving laws should apply to all road abusers - Gerakan leader

The issue of heavier penalties for drunk driving has gripped the nation but a Gerakan leader has called for all road abusers to be punished equally.

"What about 'mat rempit' and those driving under the influence of 'ketum'?" asked the party's national vice-president Baljit Singh.

"So far, the focus is on those who are drunk on alcohol but there are many other dangerous drivers who should be reined in as well," he insisted.

Baljit said any action taken against road users who threaten the lives and safety of others must be holistic in nature.

He said the proposed amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 should have wider coverage instead of merely focusing on drunk drivers.

Malaysian Anti-Cheap Liquor Movement president David Marshel (below) urged for the Penal Code to be updated to include drunk driving.

"Unfortunately, under the Penal Code Section 510, a person who is found guilty is fined only RM25.

"Section 510 has never been amended since 1955," he said.

David expressed regret over weak laws that cannot stop someone who is intoxicated from committing dangerous acts in public.

According to the Inspector General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador, 800 drunk drivers have been arrested while 10 were charged in court.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has called for more severe punishment to be introduced under a proposed amendment to Act 333.

He expressed concern over the rising number of accidents involving drunk drivers which resulted in eight deaths during the first five months of 2020.

Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong said the Bill on the proposed amendments to Act 333 would be finalised by mid-June before being presented to the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, DBKL announced a freeze on new liquor licenses effective yesterday but an activist said this is "worrying" for the country's multiracial society.

Activist Stanley Sudhagaran views it as "extremist policy".

"What is happening now is that, these politicians are trying to portray themselves as defenders of Islam and in the process using whatever opportunity they can to deny the rights of non-Muslims," he said.

"This is evident as we are seeing a non-issue being made into an issue.

"Accident death cases involving drunkenness accounts for less than 1% in the last 10 years according to statistics revealed yesterday in a Malaysiakini report.

"However the backdoor government is now sensationalising the topic to look like heroes," Stanley said. - Mkini