02-07-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Govt bans import of dummy seatbelt buckles starting Dec 31
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has banned the import of dummy seatbelt buckles — devices used to disable seatbelt warning systems — effective Dec 31.
The ban, part of the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2025, applies to all countries without exception.
It also covers seatbelt alarm deactivators, clip extenders, and other similar devices designed to bypass safety alerts by inserting them into seatbelt slots.
These accessories compromise vehicle safety by silencing warning systems, often leading drivers and passengers to forgo seatbelts — a major risk factor in road accidents.
On Feb 17, the Transport Ministry said it was working with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to halt the circulation of such products.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke warned that using dummy buckles violates road safety regulations and promotes dangerous driving habits.
During the Chinese New Year Special Operation, Negri Sembilan Road Transport Department director Hanif Yusabra Yusuf said that failing to wear seatbelts was the top offence, with 195 summonses issued. More than 30 per cent of these cases involved dummy buckles.
