KUALA LUMPUR – The death of a one-year-old boy in the Bukit Kajang Toll Plaza accident could have been prevented if he had been secured in a child safety seat, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said today.
Speaking at a press conference after launching the Gombak Integrated Terminal, Loke stressed that the issue was not about blaming the victims but about reinforcing safety standards.
“When the ministry mandated and encouraged the use of child seats, many complained. But when tragedies like this occur, it proves the importance of child seats,” he said.
Preliminary police findings showed the toddler was thrown out of the vehicle upon impact.
“According to our report, the baby was not in a child seat at the time of the crash. If there had been one, the baby might not have been ejected and could have survived,” Loke said, noting that such seats are designed to protect children from the worst impacts of collisions.
The accident, which killed the boy and injured seven others on Saturday, involved four vehicles – a Nissan X-Trail belonging to the Shah Alam Public Works Department, a Honda City, a Proton X70, and a three-tonne lorry carrying scrap metal.
Loke said the lorry was properly licensed and its inspection period had not expired, but checks showed its brake system had failed before the collision.
“This incident is heartbreaking and a reminder to transport companies that maintenance must be continuous, not just when waiting for a scheduled Puspakom inspection,” he said.
The lorry belonged to a transport company with two active permits, according to the ministry’s preliminary findings.
The crash has reignited public debate about road safety standards in Malaysia, where enforcement of child car seat regulations remains inconsistent.
Loke urged parents to prioritise using child safety seats, which he described as essential, not optional.
“Child seats provide additional safety features that can save lives,” he said.
The Bukit Kajang accident occurred at around 11am on September 27, when the lorry rammed into several vehicles near the toll plaza. — September 29, 2025