SHAH ALAM - Calls to ban alcohol in Malaysia have resurfaced amid growing concern over drunk driving fatalities, but political leaders remain divided, with most agreeing that stricter enforcement, rather than prohibition, is the more immediate priority.
Selangor Pas Youth chief Mohamed Sukri Omar said the issue should no longer be viewed lightly, as drunk driving has evolved into a serious threat to public safety and human life.
He said driving under the influence is a conscious decision with potentially fatal consequences.
“When an individual chooses to drive under the influence of alcohol, it is a conscious act that places others at risk of death. This is not mere negligence. It is a grave criminal act,” he told Sinar Daily.
From a legal standpoint, Sukri said every right comes with responsibility, adding that if alcohol consumption is treated as a privilege, it should not go unchecked when it starts costing innocent lives.
“Individual freedom must never override the fundamental right of others to live safely,” he said.
He called for a broader national discussion on whether Malaysia should reassess its policies on the sale and consumption of alcohol, taking into account public safety and current realities.
At the same time, he stressed that enforcement and punishment must be strengthened, proposing stricter laws including fines of up to RM1 million, life imprisonment and caning for offenders involved in fatal cases.
“This approach aligns with the principles of justice, deterrence and proportionate punishment, with the protection of life as the highest priority,” he added.
However, he acknowledged that a total ban on alcohol would require careful consideration, including constitutional limits, societal diversity and enforcement challenges.
Bersatu Youth information chief Harris Idaham Rashid took a firmer stance against prohibition, describing a total ban as excessive in a multicultural country where non-Muslims have the right to consume alcohol.
He said alcohol itself is not the core issue, but rather irresponsible behaviour such as driving under the influence.
“While alcohol consumption itself is not the main issue, driving under the influence is strictly unacceptable and has led to the loss of lives,” he said.
Harris noted that current laws are insufficient both in terms of severity and enforcement, which has contributed to recurring incidents over the years.
“Stronger policing and stricter enforcement of existing laws are more practical solutions than imposing a total ban,” he said.
He added that public anger over such cases, widely expressed on social media, reflects growing concern as more families lose loved ones in preventable tragedies.
He said while civic responsibility is important, it could not be the sole solution, as not everyone exercises sound judgment. This, he said is where the law must take precedence.
He also hopes that the government, particularly the lawmakers, would move swiftly to amend existing laws to increase penalties rather than introduce entirely new legislation.
Meanwhile, Amanah deputy president Mujahid Yusof Rawa highlighted the legal and religious complexities surrounding the issue.
He pointed out that alcohol is prohibited for Muslims under the Syariah law, where punishments are already prescribed, while for non-Muslims, it is not a religious matter but becomes a legal concern when it leads to harm.
“As far as the law is concerned, there is much debate on banning alcohol for non-Muslims, but we can impose stronger penalties when its consumption endangers others, not just in drunk driving but also in domestic violence and public nuisance,” he said.
Mujahid also expressed support for stronger public education efforts, calling for more aggressive campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol consumption, including its impact on health and behaviour.
The recent discussion on social media about rising drunk driving cases has drawn strong reactions from netizens, with many calling for stricter measures on alcohol consumption and harsher penalties for offenders.
One Instagram user, @zaidah_sidek, wrote: “Ban alcohol. If this happens again, shoot them dead.”
Another commenter on TikTok, @Ssaravanan Ssara, suggested: “My big suggestion for the government is to stop selling alcoholic drinks.”
Meanwhile, on X, @shayisapotato said: “No one deserves to die just because someone decides to wake up one day and drink alcohol — either impose the death penalty on ‘legal’ road killers like this or ban alcohol entirely.”
On March 29, a video recording of an accident went viral on social media, showing a car speeding, crossing a double line and crashing into a motorcycle, causing the rider to be thrown into the air before landing on another vehicle.
As a result of the incident, a motorcyclist in his 30s was killed after being struck by a car driver believed to be under the influence of alcohol and drugs in an accident on Jalan Raya Barat in Klang, Selangor.