Experts urge legal safeguards as Malaysia weighs seizing assets of traffic offenders

University Malaya criminology specialist Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid warned that any asset seizure must be grounded in law to safeguard the rights of non-offending family members. She emphasized that justice involves compensating victims while protecting third parties, and cautioned against indiscriminate confiscation. Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook said the cabinet is examining options, including seizing assets of drivers convicted of serious traffic offences, to ensure victims receive compensation when offenders cannot pay.

Road safety scholar Law Teik Hua noted that while financial penalties may deter some, they do not change driver behaviour or reduce road deaths without consistent enforcement. He urged the government to focus on continuous enforcement of offenses such as drink-driving, speeding and red-light running, improve the demerit point system, and consider a temporary compensation fund pending asset recovery.