MP Calls for Stricter Drink-Driving BAC Limit, Says M’sia’s 0.08% Is Too Lenient Compared to China’s 0.02%

A Member of Parliament (MP) has called on the government to review Malaysia’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers to help reduce the risk of drink-driving accidents.

Bagan Serai MP Idris Ahmad pointed out that Malaysia’s current BAC limit of 0.08% is more lenient than those in several other countries, arguing that it gives the impression the country is softer on drink-driving.

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PAS vice-president compares Malaysia’s BAC limit with other Asian countries

During his speech in the Dewan Rakyat, the PAS vice-president touched on the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2026, where he cited a study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) that found that driving under the influence of alcohol increases the risk of road accidents by up to 13 times.

Compared with other Asian countries, Idris added that Malaysia’s current BAC limit is higher than those of Japan and South Korea, which set the limit at 0.03%, while China allows only 0.02%.

“In South Korea and Japan, the BAC limit for drivers is 0.03%. In China, it’s only 0.02%. However, in Malaysia, the limit is 0.08%. Therefore, this issue of drunk driving must be put to an end immediately. How many more people have to become victims because of drunk drivers?” he wrote in the caption.

Calls for stricter drink-driving laws

In light of this, Idris said the government should consider reviewing the current BAC limit as part of efforts to strengthen laws on drink-driving offences.

He added that promoting a healthy lifestyle would mean little if road users continued to lose their lives because of irresponsible drunk drivers.

“Malaysia is effectively allowing individuals with relatively high levels of alcohol in their system to drive. I therefore propose that the government review the current BAC limit and introduce the necessary amendments to better protect the safety of all road users,” he said.

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