He said as far as the government was concerned, it had abolished the mandatory death penalty.

“So this is not something which we are looking at,” he told reporters here.

Loke said drunk drivers could already be charged with murder if their actions lead to the death of others.

“There is already an existing law (to deal with drunk drivers),” he said.

Last month, Loke said his ministry was proposing amendments to the law to compel offenders to pay compensation to victims’ families, following a fatal crash in Klang involving a driver allegedly under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Loke said then that the government would not compromise with those who drive under the influence.

The minister said the proposed amendments to the Road Transport Act were aimed at easing the burden of victims’ families, who currently have to pursue legal action to seek compensation.

“Right now, the avenue for the victim’s family is through civil action, which is tedious, time-consuming, and involves costs,” he said.

Loke said the amendments were being drafted and were expected to be tabled in the parliamentary sitting in June.

“This way, families will not have to go through a separate civil process to obtain compensation,” he said.

Opposition MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal previously called on the government to consider imposing the death penalty on convicted drunk drivers.

He said those who chose to drive despite being under the influence should be automatically deemed as having the intent to kill.

Currently, Section 44 of the Road Transport Act 1987 states that those convicted of causing death while driving under the influence may face 10 to 15 years in prison and a fine of between RM50,000 and RM100,000, with heavier penalties for repeat offenders.

Murder charges were recently brought against two drivers who caused death while under the influence.