PUTRAJAYA will lower the assessment of blood alcohol content standards and impose fines of up to RM150,000 to curb drink driving, said Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong.

“The government will increase fines and prison time while impose longer suspension of driving licences for those caught drink driving,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.

“We are also looking at lowering the alcohol assessment threshold in the breath, blood and urine tests.”

He said the government is planning to lower the blood alcohol content to 50mg per 100ml of blood.

Malaysia’s current threshold is 80mg per 100ml of blood.

“The government will lower the thresholds in line with World Health Organisation standards to 22mg alcohol per 100mm breath, 50mg alcohol per 100ml blood and 67mg of alcohol in 100ml of urine,” said Wee.

Malaysia’s current threshold is 35mg alcohol in 100mm of breath, 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood and 107mg of alcohol in 100ml of urine.

On the punishments, Wee said the government is looking at mandatory jail sentences for drink-drivers who cause deaths.

He said under the current law, there is no distinction for causing accidents that result in deaths and injury.

“Under the new amendments, the punishments for causing accidents that result in deaths and injuries will be different.

“We plan to increase the maximum prison term from the current 10 years to 15 for the first offence and 20 years for subsequent offences.

“We will also suggest increasing the maximum fine from the current RM20,000 to RM100,000 for the first offence and a maximum of RM150,000 for subsequent offences.

“The punishment for suspension of driving licences will be increased from 10 years to 20 years.”

Wee was responding to Shahidan Kassim’s (Arau-BN) question on whether the government planned to amend the laws pertaining to drink driving and if there would be capital punishments for offenders.

Wee said the government will not include capital punishment for drink driving.

“If the Penal Code is used for capital punishment, it needs to be proven in court that the drink-driver had intention to kill beyond reasonable doubt.

“Although we are frustrated with them, we cannot take such drastic measures against drink-drivers. As it is, the ministry has already decided to amend the alcohol threshold and increase the penalties,” said Wee.

He said the cabinet will meet on Friday to endorse the draft to amend Sections 41-45 of the Transport Act. – July 15, 2020.