Malaysia's system for penalising reckless drivers isn't doing its job — and Transport Minister Anthony Loke wants to change that. In a recent statement, Loke admitted that the KEJARA demerit system, which was created to make drivers think twice before breaking the law, is simply not working as intended.

A Quick Refresher: What Is KEJARA?

KEJARA — short for Keselamatan Jalan Raya — is Malaysia's driving licence demerit points system. It's not new: it dates back to 1984 and operates under the Motor Vehicles (Demerit Points) Rules 1997.

The idea is straightforward:

Here's how it's supposed to work:

The system is especially strict for new drivers who are on probation for two years before receiving a full licence.

So, What's the Problem?

While the framework looks solid on paper, in practice, it has a big loophole. According to Minister Loke, demerit points are only deducted after the motorist pays their summons — not when they commit the offence.

In other words: get caught speeding? You technically don't lose any points until you actually settle the fine. And as many Malaysians know, countless fines go unpaid for years — or never at all.

This flaw means reckless drivers can continue driving freely without fear of suspension or losing their licence, simply by ignoring their summonses.

What's Next?

Recognising this weakness, the Transport Ministry is planning an overhaul of the KEJARA system. The goal? To close this loophole and ensure that demerit points are deducted at the point when an offence is recorded — not when someone decides to settle their fine (if ever).

"This overhaul is aimed at addressing the current loophole, where many drivers avoid penalties simply by not settling their fines," Loke explained.

Why It Matters

Malaysia continues to face road safety challenges, with traffic offences and accidents still claiming thousands of lives each year. A more robust KEJARA system could be an important step towards safer roads and more responsible driving behaviour.

In the meantime, Malaysian motorists might want to think twice before ignoring that traffic summons — change is coming.