Malaysia’s New Bus Seat Belt Law: Why It Matters
Malaysia has taken a decisive step to improve road safety by enforcing a mandatory seat belt law for all passengers and drivers on express and tour buses. This move, effective from July 1, 2025, comes in response to a tragic accident and years of inconsistent compliance with existing safety regulations. The new law aims to save lives, reduce injuries, and set a higher standard for public transport safety across the country.
The regulation requires all passengers and drivers on express and tour buses manufactured from January 2020 onwards to wear seat belts at all times. Older buses are being given a grace period to retrofit seat belts, but the message is clear: safety cannot be compromised. The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is leading the enforcement, with strict penalties and innovative monitoring techniques to ensure compliance.
What Prompted the Crackdown?
The catalyst for this sweeping change was a devastating bus crash on June 9, 2025, near Gerik, Perak. A bus carrying 42 passengers, mostly university students, veered off the East-West Highway and overturned. Fifteen students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) lost their lives, and dozens more were injured. Investigations revealed that many victims were not wearing seat belts and were thrown from the vehicle during the crash.
This tragedy exposed significant gaps in the enforcement of existing seat belt regulations. Although it had been mandatory since 2020 for new express and sightseeing buses to install seat belts for all passengers, compliance was patchy and enforcement lax. Experts, safety advocates, and the public demanded urgent action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
How Does the New Law Work?
The new seat belt law is comprehensive and backed by robust enforcement measures:
- Who must comply? All drivers and passengers on express and tour buses registered from January 2020 onwards must wear seat belts. Foreign tourists are not exempt.
- What are the penalties? Anyone caught not wearing a seat belt faces a fine of RM300 (about US$71). This applies to passengers, drivers, and bus operators if they fail to ensure compliance.
- How is it enforced? JPJ officers conduct random spot checks at terminals and on highways. Buses are equipped with CCTV cameras, and footage is reviewed to verify if drivers reminded passengers to buckle up before departure. Undercover officers may also board buses disguised as passengers to catch violators.
- What about older buses? Buses built before January 2020 have a grace period to retrofit seat belts. However, the expectation is that all buses will eventually comply.
JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli emphasized that there will be no compromise on violations. He stated,
“Drivers are responsible for ensuring all passengers fasten their seatbelts before starting the journey. If drivers fail to remind passengers, everyone—including the operator—can be fined. If reminders are given and passengers still refuse, only the passengers will be fined.”
To support enforcement, JPJ has issued detailed guidelines to bus operators and is working closely with the industry to ensure a smooth transition.
Tourists and Public Awareness: Bridging the Gap
One of the challenges highlighted by the Malaysian Tourism Federation is the lack of awareness among foreign tourists. In many countries, seat belt use on buses is not strictly enforced, leading to confusion and low compliance among visitors to Malaysia. The absence of clear signage or reminders onboard further compounds the problem.
Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel, president of the Malaysian Tourism Federation, explained that responsibility for passenger safety should be shared between bus drivers and tour guides. He suggested that safety briefings and reminders to buckle up should become standard operating procedure for all tour operators. This would help ensure consistency and improve compliance, especially among tourists unfamiliar with local laws.
Industry groups and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture are actively providing guidance and encouraging members to prioritize passenger safety. Many reputable tour operators already ensure their buses are equipped with functioning seat belts, but inconsistencies remain, particularly among smaller operators or older fleets.
To address these issues, authorities are planning information campaigns and have advised bus operators to place visible reminders in their vehicles. The goal is to build a culture of compliance and shared responsibility for safety among both locals and visitors.
Enforcement in Action: Fines, Inspections, and Undercover Officers
Since the law came into effect, enforcement has been swift and visible. According to the Road Transport Department, nearly 1,200 fines were issued in the first few weeks—1,108 to passengers, 62 to drivers, and 23 to bus operators for failing to install seat belts. Most of those fined claimed they were unaware of the new rule or that enforcement had begun, but authorities have made it clear that ignorance is not an excuse.
To ensure compliance, JPJ officers conduct spot checks at bus terminals and along highways. CCTV footage from inside buses is reviewed to determine whether drivers issued proper reminders before departure. In a novel move, Malaysia has also deployed undercover police officers who board buses disguised as regular passengers to catch violators in the act. This tactic underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the new law.
Mr Mohamad Ashfar Ali, president of the Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association, noted that his members have been instructed to remind passengers to buckle up each time they are seated and before the trip begins. Announcements and compliance sweeps are conducted, and reminders are repeated after rest stops during long journeys. He argued that as long as drivers and operators fulfill their responsibility to remind passengers, they should not be held liable if passengers choose to ignore the rules.
Expert Opinions: Why Seat Belts Matter on Buses
Experts agree that seat belt use is one of the most effective ways to reduce fatalities and serious injuries in bus accidents. According to a global review published in ScienceDirect, non-compliance with seat belt laws remains a critical issue worldwide. Factors influencing seat belt use include driver demographics, trip characteristics, and the strength of enforcement policies.
In Malaysia, compliance rates among drivers are relatively high, but passenger compliance—especially on buses—has lagged. The review emphasizes the importance of the “3 E’s” approach: engineering (vehicle design and seat belt installation), education (public awareness campaigns), and enforcement (strict penalties and monitoring).
Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, chairman of the Alliance for a Safe Community, stressed that many buses still do not comply with seat belt requirements, and when accidents occur, unbelted passengers are at much greater risk. He called for stricter enforcement and better monitoring of seat belt installation and use.
“When an accident occurs, passengers are thrown out of the bus due to not wearing seat belts. This demonstrates the careless attitude of public transport operators, who appear to disregard the safety of passengers.”
Md Hairolazaman Muhamed Nor, president of the Malaysian Road and Transport Safety Association, suggested that installing GPS and cameras in buses could help monitor compliance throughout the journey. He also recommended seat belts with alarms that alert drivers if passengers are not buckled up.
Industry Response and Ongoing Challenges
The bus industry has responded to the new law by updating standard operating procedures and investing in safety equipment. Many operators now conduct pre-journey safety briefings and have installed visible reminders in their vehicles. However, challenges remain, particularly among smaller operators and older fleets that may lack the resources to retrofit seat belts quickly.
There is also ongoing debate about liability. While drivers and operators are required to remind passengers to wear seat belts, some argue that ultimate responsibility lies with the individual passenger. JPJ has clarified that if a driver fails to remind passengers, all parties can be fined. If reminders are given and passengers still refuse, only the passengers are penalized.
Authorities are considering expanding enforcement to other types of buses, such as those owned by higher education institutions and residential schools. Inspections will be conducted in phases, and the goal is to ensure that all buses—regardless of ownership—meet the same safety standards.
Broader Implications: Setting a New Standard for Road Safety
Malaysia’s strict enforcement of bus seat belt laws marks a turning point in public transport safety. The policy not only aims to protect passengers during long-distance travel but also sets a new benchmark for road safety in Southeast Asia. The use of technology, such as CCTV and GPS, combined with innovative enforcement tactics like undercover officers, demonstrates a commitment to making compliance the norm rather than the exception.
Public response has been largely supportive, with many calling for the mandate to be extended to all forms of passenger transport. The government’s willingness to engage with industry stakeholders and provide a grace period for older buses reflects a balanced approach that prioritizes both safety and practicality.
Ultimately, the success of the new law will depend on sustained enforcement, ongoing public education, and a cultural shift toward shared responsibility for safety. As Malaysia continues to refine its approach, other countries in the region may look to its example as a model for improving road safety and reducing preventable tragedies.
In Summary
- Malaysia now requires all passengers and drivers on express and tour buses (built from 2020 onwards) to wear seat belts, with strict enforcement from July 1, 2025.
- The law was prompted by a fatal bus crash that killed 15 university students, exposing gaps in previous enforcement.
- Fines of RM300 apply to passengers, drivers, and operators who fail to comply; CCTV and undercover officers are used to monitor adherence.
- Tourists and locals alike must follow the law, with authorities launching awareness campaigns to boost compliance.
- Experts and safety advocates support the move, citing the proven effectiveness of seat belts in reducing fatalities and injuries.
- Industry response has been positive, but challenges remain for smaller operators and older fleets.
- The new law sets a higher standard for public transport safety in Malaysia and could influence similar policies in the region.
