MoT Set to Work with KPDN to Ban Dummy Seatbelt Buckles

Both the MoT and KPDN will work together on banning the sale and usage of dummy seatbelt buckles.

The Malaysian Transport Ministry (MoT) and the domestic trade and cost of living ministry (KPDN) are poised to work together to ban the sale of dummy seatbelt buckles. Part of the reason for the cooperation is the fact that MoT has no authority over the sale of these dummy buckles.

Transport Minister YB Anthony Loke

Speaking to NST in a press conference yesterday, transport minister YB Anthony Loke said, “We know that most modern vehicles are now equipped with sensors. If the seatbelt is not fastened, an alarm or siren will be activated. So, these ‘creative’ individuals have come up with dummy buckles to silence the sensors, but they do not wear seatbelts. Therefore, we will discuss with the domestic trade and cost of living ministry to ban their sale in the market.”

“I have always emphasised that wearing a seatbelt is not just about following regulations but about safety. Do not think of it as merely avoiding an alarm or siren. Seatbelts protect both drivers and passengers, especially those in the front seats,” the MoT minister added.

The widespread usage of these dummy seatbelt buckles has reached a concerning level. According to Negeri Sembilan Road Transport Department (JPJ) director Hanif Yusabra Yusuf, the state has recorded a total of 195 summonses over the Chinese New Year for offenses related to not wearing the seatbelt, with over a third of them involving the use of this illicit device.

Besides JPJ and MoT, both the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and the Penang Consumer Association (CAP) have also voiced their concerns, while urging both MoT and KPDN to put an immediate ban on the sale of these dummy buckles.

On top of that, the president of the Automotive Accessories Traders Association of Malaysia, Cherrie Lim Bee Choo, has stated that their members have already phased out the sale of the dummy buckles, although the association has no control over other sellers, especially those on the online platform.

Source: NST