The Ministry of Transport will begin enforcing speed control systems on heavy vehicles starting this October as part of a broader push to improve road safety across Malaysia.
This follows a question raised in Parliament by Gerik MP Tuan Fathul Huzir Ayob, who asked if the government plans to mandate automatic cut-off systems that stop or limit vehicles when drivers ignore safety rules.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke responded by clarifying that the government will not implement full engine cut-off mechanisms, but instead enforce the use of Speed Limitation Devices (SLDs), a safer alternative that electronically controls a vehicle’s speed without shutting down the engine.
“SLD works through the vehicle’s ECU and ensures speed is limited without risking safety. It’s a more practical solution,” Loke said.
The rollout will happen in three phases. From 1 October 2025, commercial vehicles built after January 2015 must undergo SLD functionality checks. By 1 January 2026, older vehicles built before 2015 must activate the SLD system within their Electronic Control Units.
A final phase starting 1 July 2026 will require retrofitting vehicles that lack the system entirely, subject to Road Transport Department approval. This ruling applies to all commercial goods vehicles over 3,500kg and passenger vehicles exceeding 5,000kg or designed to carry more than eight people.
The minister added that his Ministry is also rolling out additional safety measures, including mandatory seatbelt use for newer express and tour buses, as well as the immediate suspension of vocational licences for drivers involved in serious accidents.
Other efforts include enhanced vehicle inspections through PUSPAKOM, the use of body-worn cameras by JPJ officers, and tighter control on overloaded container trucks entering the country’s ports.
