Malaysia's Kejara demerit system has been around for years, but ask any regular driver and you'll hear the same complaint: it hasn't been doing its job. That is now about to change. Transport Minister Anthony Loke has revealed that the Government is preparing a full overhaul of the system, with a completely redesigned version targeted for rollout beginning in 2026.

This isn't a minor tweak or cosmetic upgrade. The Ministry of Transport (MOT) is rebuilding the system from the ground up — including the way demerit points are issued, the platforms used to enforce penalties, and how traffic offences affect licence and road tax renewals.

Why the Current Kejara System Isn't Working

The existing Kejara framework ties demerit points to summons payments. In other words, your points are only deducted once you settle the fine. The unintended consequence? Many motorists delay or simply refuse to pay to avoid receiving their demerit points.

This loophole has created a culture where irresponsible drivers can continue using the road with no meaningful repercussions as long as they don't settle their fines. Loke described the situation bluntly in his interview with The Sun, saying that the system ended up discouraging payments rather than encouraging compliance. As a result, dangerous drivers continued driving freely while unpaid summonses piled up with little enforcement bite behind them.

A New, Stricter Enforcement Mechanism

The upcoming version of Kejara changes the entire enforcement workflow. Instead of waiting for fines to be paid, demerit points will be integrated directly into the motorist's digital profile through MySikap and MyJPJ.

This means every offence will immediately influence your standing as a licensed driver. Motorists will be able to check their demerit points in real time, receive alerts when they are nearing the suspension threshold, and understand clearly how close they are to losing their licence.

To make the system truly effective, MOT will also connect demerit status to licence and road tax renewals. Once the new framework is active, anyone who ignores their summonses for too long will be automatically blacklisted. When that happens, renewing your licence or road tax will simply not be possible until all outstanding issues are resolved.

According to Loke, this change is essential to restoring accountability and ensuring that serious or repeat offenders face real consequences instead of slipping through administrative cracks.

Standardised Summonses and the End of Discount Campaigns

Another major shift taking place alongside the Kejara reform is the restructuring of traffic summonses. The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has agreed to standardise the way summonses are issued, which means motorists can expect a uniform system regardless of whether the offence involves JPJ or PDRM enforcement.

The biggest change, however, may be the removal of long-standing "discount campaigns." For years, motorists have become accustomed to periodic discount offers — some as high as 50% — which encouraged people to settle old summonses. Starting 1 January 2026, these campaigns will officially end. The intention is to promote consistent enforcement and prevent situations where drivers simply wait for the next discount season before settling their dues.

A Tight Timeline and No More Delays

Behind the scenes, the MOT and JPJ are working on aggressive deadlines to make sure the overhaul is delivered on time. This includes upgrading backend systems, appointing new vendors, completing technical integration, and testing everything before enforcement begins in the second half of 2026.

Loke acknowledged that this revamp is long overdue. The inefficiencies of the old system have been discussed for years, and without technical fixes and consistent policies, enforcement has struggled to keep pace with the rising number of vehicles and traffic offences.

With the reforms now formally in motion, the Government aims to create a more transparent, predictable and fair enforcement ecosystem — one that rewards responsible driving and holds repeat offenders accountable.