Sashidaran Gunathevan
Illegal street racing penalties are set to rise under the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2026. The Dewan Rakyat passed the Bill by voice vote on 24 June, The Star reported.
The Bill makes 41 changes to the Road Transport Act 1987. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said it closes a gap in the law.
Here is what the Bill covers, what racers face, which other penalties change, and what is still only a proposal.
What the Bill covers
The Bill was first tabled for first reading on 22 June. Bernama reported that it aims to strengthen the Act’s regulatory and enforcement powers. Loke said he would hold the second reading in the same meeting.
Loke said road accidents killed 6,537 people in 2025, The Star reported. Of those, 4,340 were motorcyclists and their passengers, or 66.4%.
The Bill also covers tougher enforcement, digital JPJ services and action against “tonto” informants. In addition, it sets rules for detaining micromobility vehicles. It also adds a new offence for obstructing or assaulting enforcement officers.
However, the reports we read do not say whether the Dewan Negara has passed the Bill. They also give no date for it to take effect, apart from one change in 2029. For now, treat every figure below as what the Bill says.
Rules on racing and speed tests
The Bill adds a new Section 42A. It covers racing or speed-testing involving two or more vehicles on public roads, The Star reported.
Loke said police can now act before a crash, injury or death. Bernama quoted him as saying penalties used to apply only after an accident.
A first offender faces a fine of RM2,000 to RM10,000, jail of up to two years, or both. A repeat offender faces a fine of RM5,000 to RM20,000, jail, or both.
Reports differ on the repeat jail term. Bernama quoted Loke as saying up to five years. The Bill text, as The Borneo Post reported, said not less than five years.
Loke said the section targets competitive racing and dangerous speed challenges. It does not target isolated speeding or overtaking, The Star reported.
It applies to all motor vehicles, including motorcycles and ordinary cars. Business Today said it also covers luxury and high-performance cars.
Other penalties that change
The Bill raises the minimum fine from RM300 to RM500 for several offences, The Borneo Post reported. These include speeding and driving without a valid licence.
The list also covers ignoring traffic signals and failing to display a registration number. In addition, it covers illegal street racing and breaches of vehicle equipment rules.
Driving while a licence is suspended now carries up to three years’ jail, or a fine of RM3,000 to RM10,000. Before, the limit was one year or RM5,000.
The maximum compound for compoundable offences rises from RM300 to RM500. Business Today said this applies from 1 January 2029.
Fines for false statements can reach RM200,000 or 10 years’ jail, according to Bernama. SAYS listed lower figures for the basic offence, so check the final Act.
SAYS also reported that the 50% discount for paying a compound within 30 days stays. SAYS is not an official source, so please check with JPJ.
What is still only a proposal
Separately, Loke told the Dewan Rakyat on 14 July that courts may order compensation for victims. The Vibes reported that this is a proposal, not law.
It would cover crashes that cause death or serious injury. Courts would weigh the harm done, the victim’s losses and the offender’s ability to pay.
The reports give no amounts. The Sun, citing Bernama, said the Cabinet agreed in principle to the change on 17 July. We could not read the full article.
Loke also cited a crash near Simpang Renggam, Johor, on 1 June. Bernama said the Attorney-General’s Chambers ordered an investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
No charge has been reported in the sources we read. Loke also said a Johor operation led to 16 arrests and 260 seized motorcycles.
Those seizures were an enforcement action, not a new penalty under the Bill. Readers should wait for the gazetted Act before relying on any figure here.
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