Use Road Tax to Fix Damaged Roads, Experts Urge

Malaysia's road tax revenue, particularly from the Motor Vehicle License (LKM), should be directly channeled into maintaining and repairing the nation's deteriorating road infrastructure. Experts argue that the significant funds collected annually are not adequately translating into safer, better-quality roads for the public.

According to the Road Transport Department (JPJ), revenue collection reached RM5.65 billion in 2025, a 6.05% increase from RM5.33 billion in 2024. The LKM renewal alone accounts for over 60% of this total. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Works (KKR) requires approximately RM4 billion annually for comprehensive road maintenance, repair, and upgrades nationwide. This disparity suggests a potential disconnect in fund allocation.

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I believe there needs to be a clearer link between the revenue collected from road users and the level of maintenance and safety of the infrastructure.

Jamil Manan Supri, founder and advisor for Road Safety and Motorsports of the Malaysian Road Safety Experts Association (PPKJR), believes that the collection of LKM should be transferred to the KKR. This would ensure that the revenue directly funds road maintenance and repair efforts, addressing the persistent issues of potholes and damaged roads that have tragically claimed lives. He emphasizes the public's right to transparency regarding how their road tax payments are utilized for infrastructure improvements and safety enhancements.

Professor Madya Dr. Law Teik Hua, head of the Road Safety Research Center at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), suggests the government establish a transparent special fund mechanism for road maintenance. This fund should ensure a portion of vehicle-related revenue is directly allocated to upkeep. He also points out that road maintenance allocation should prioritize high-risk areas prone to fatal or serious accidents, rather than solely relying on the number of complaints received. The effectiveness of planning, implementation, and monitoring of maintenance work is also crucial, not just the availability of funds.

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This is not to say that every ringgit collected must be returned directly to a specific road, but the public has the right to know how much is collected, how much is allocated, how priorities are determined, and what the actual results of the expenditure are. This is a matter of transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.