Malaysian insurance law is fundamentally designed to protect third-party victims, not errant drivers
April 02, 2026KUALA LUMPUR: Victims of road accidents involving drunk or drug-impaired drivers in Malaysia are still entitled to compensation, despite widespread misconceptions that such claims are automatically void, legal experts said.
Lawyer Datuk Shanmugam Ganesan told the New Straits Times that Malaysian insurance law is fundamentally designed to protect third-party victims — not errant drivers.
He said under the Road Transport Act 1987, all motorists are required to have at least third-party insurance coverage.
“Many people assume that if a driver is intoxicated, any insurance claim becomes invalid. That is not accurate,” he said.