Starting 1 July 2025, seatbelt use will be mandatory for all passengers and drivers of express and tour buses, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) announced. Those who fail to comply will face a fine of RM300.
In addition, bus drivers are required to remind passengers to wear their seatbelts. Failure to do so will result in penalties for both the driver and the bus operating company. However, if the driver has issued the reminder and passengers still fail to comply, only the passengers will be penalised.
To ensure compliance, closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage will be used. According to JPJ Director-General Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli, RTD officers will review the recordings to confirm that the reminder has been given by the driver.
He further stated that the RTD has already discussed the mandatory requirement with bus operators. “We have issued clear guidelines, and we will not compromise on any violations,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the JPJ is urging both passengers and drivers of the relevant public service vehicles to ensure their vehicles are equipped with properly functioning seatbelts. It stated that this move is part of its proactive efforts to strengthen road safety measures and reduce the risk of serious injury or loss of life.
Earlier last month, a bus accident resulted in 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students losing their lives. Since then, the government has been taking steps to improvise the safety measures of public vehicles.
