MP moots death penalty for drunk drivers in fatal crashes

 An MP from PAS meanwhile calls for lifetime driving bans for offenders after the fatal crash in Klang yesterday.

A dashcam video clip believed to be of the accident showed an overtaking car crashing into an oncoming motorcycle.

PETALING JAYA:

 An opposition MP has called on the government to consider imposing the death penalty for convicted drunk drivers after the crash in Klang yesterday involving a driver under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said the stiffer penalties enacted under the Road Transport Act in 2020 failed to deter offenders from drink driving.

“Therefore, I urge the government to study amending the law to allow for the death penalty to be imposed on drunk drivers who cause death.

“When someone under the influence still chooses to drive, the law should consider that the person has intent to kill, because their actions clearly have a high risk of killing others,” the former Bersatu leader said in a Facebook post.

Jerantut MP Khairil Nizam Khirudin meanwhile called for lifetime driving bans for all drink driving offenders, saying suspensions are insufficient.

The PAS leader said the government must take a far tougher line on drink driving given the threat offenders pose to other road users, making it a matter of public safety rather than just a traffic offence.

He said the government should strengthen enforcement under the Road Transport Act and ensure that stiff punishments are consistently imposed.

“One more life has been lost. One more family has been destroyed. Justice must be served,” he said in a statement, urging transport minister Loke Siew Fook to take action.

Under Section 44 of the Road Transport Act, those convicted of causing death while driving under the influence may face 10 to 15 years in prison and a fine of between RM50,000 and RM100,000.

They will also be barred from holding a driving licence for at least 10 years from the date of their conviction.

Repeat offenders can face 15 to 20 years’ jail, a RM100,000 to RM150,000 fine, and a 20-year ban from driving.

A motorcyclist was killed in Klang yesterday morning after being rammed by a car driven by a man in his 20s who was driving under the influence.

A dashcam video clip posted online showed an overtaking car in the opposite lane crashing into an oncoming motorcyclist, sending the victim flying into the air and landing on top of another vehicle.

The suspect has been remanded until Thursday.

PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden has offered free legal aid to the victim’s family to ensure justice for the deceased. - FMT