Every driver in Malaysia has probably encountered heavy vehicles ‘singing’ popular songs with their vehicle horn on the road. While some may find this to be hilarious and a welcome entertainment during traffic jams, others might see it as a nuisance.
However, did you know that having melodic horns on a vehicle is actually illegal in Malaysia? In fact, having vehicle horns that are more than one tone in Malaysia can actually land you up to 6 months in jail or an RM2,000 fine!
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Here’s everything you need to know:
Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Rules 1959 LN 170/59
Speaking to WORLD OF BUZZ, Qurtubi Kamruldzaman, a Legal Associate at Kuala Lumpur-based law firm ADIL Legal, elaborated that Regulation 24(i) of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Rules 1959 LN 170/59 below prescribed that all motor vehicles, except a pedestrian-controlled vehicle, should be fitted with “an instrument capable of giving audible and sufficient warning of its approach or position”.
However, the regulation established that motor vehicle horns can’t include a gong, bell or 2-tone horn.
The only exception to this rule is motor vehicles used by the fire brigade, ambulances or for the purposes of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). The regulation also forbids the use of sirens on motor vehicles, except for vehicles used for fire brigade or police purposes.
Section 119(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987
Qurtubi further clarified that the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Rules 1959 LN 170/59 is a rule and regulation under the Road Transport Act 1987. Hence, the punishment for any offences under it is prescribed by the parent Act.
As there are no specific penalties mentioned for the offence, Section 119(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987 below would be applicable:
As you can see, Section 119 of the Road Transport Act 1987 details the general offences and penalties under the Act.
Specifically, Section 119(2) prescribes the penalty for offences under Regulation 24(i) of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Rules 1959 LN 170/59, which is a fine of up to RM2,000 or imprisonment of up to 6 months.
Additionally, if it’s a second or subsequent conviction, the penalty one can face if convicted is a fine of up to RM4,000, imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both.
No one has been jailed for this offence… yet
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However, Qurtubi noted that while an individual can indeed face jail time for committing this offence, more often than not, offenders are only fined.
As of the time of writing, no imprisonment punishment has been meted out for not adhering to Regulation 24(i) of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Rules 1959 LN 170/59
As to why the regulation was introduced in the first place, then JPJ Selangor Director Nazli Md Taib was quoted by Sinar Harian in 2021 as saying that having horns with more than one tone can cause confusion among road users regarding the message that the driver was trying to convey. Furthermore, he stressed that these horns can only cause public nuisance, especially when used in a residential area.
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So, what do you guys think of this regulation? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Also read: Viral Post Claims JPJ Officers Followed a Driver Home to Seize Luxury MPV With No Road Tax
