Malaysia Rules Out Death Penalty for Drunk Drivers

Malaysia will not impose the death penalty on drunk drivers, the government announced Monday. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said existing laws are strong enough. Loke stated there is "no necessity" to add capital punishment to road safety laws. He explained that serious offenses can already be prosecuted under current regulations. In cases where a drunk driving incident leads to a death, offenders can still be charged with murder. The decision aligns with a broader government policy. "We have already stopped mandatory death penalties," Loke told reporters. Instead, the government is proposing a new focus on victim compensation. Authorities are now developing a plan to make convicted drunk drivers pay financial restitution to victims or their families. This shift aims to provide direct support to those harmed by such accidents.