Our Story: Championing Road Safety in Malaysia

Since its inception in 1954, the Road Safety Council of Malaysia (Majlis Keselamatan Jalan Raya Malaysia – MKJR) has been integral to the nation’s efforts to address the human cost of road travel. Established formally as a non-governmental organisation in 1963, MKJR initially focused on raising public awareness and promoting individual responsibility – a vital first step in tackling the challenges posed by increasing motorisation.

Constitution of MKJR (PDF, 164 KB, 5 pages)

A Legacy of Awareness

For decades, MKJR was synonymous with national road safety campaigns. Leveraging mass media, the Council embedded safety consciousness into the public mindset, most notably through the enduring slogan, “Pandu Cermat, Jiwa Selamat”. These early efforts laid crucial groundwork, engaging schools, communities, and industry stakeholders in promoting safer behaviours, particularly among high-risk groups.

Evolving Structure, Sharpening Focus

Malaysia’s institutional framework for road safety evolved over time. In 2004, the government established the Road Safety Department (JKJR) to handle operational aspects of awareness and education, with JKJR also serving as MKJR’s secretariat. The subsequent establishment of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) in 2007 created a dedicated agency for research and evidence-based interventions. These developments allowed MKJR to transition towards a more strategic role, primarily as a national forum for stakeholders and a key advisor to the Minister of Transport. The absorption of JKJR’s functions into the Road Transport Department (JPJ) in 2020 further clarified this distinction, positioning MKJR as the high-level council focused on coordination and strategic direction, separate from the operational safety activities now housed within JPJ’s Road Safety Division (BKJR).

Our Renewed Focus: Leading through the Safe System Approach

Today, MKJR embraces a renewed mandate, guided by the globally recognised Safe System Approach (SSA). Acknowledging that human error is inevitable, this modern approach shifts the focus towards creating a transport system inherently designed to protect people from death and serious injury. It is a paradigm built on shared responsibility, where system designers, managers, and users all play a part in ensuring safety. This approach is central to achieving ambitious international road safety goals.

In line with our Vision of making Malaysia a country with zero road traffic fatalities, MKJR is committed to:

  • Leading National Coordination: Serving as the primary platform for collaboration among all key road safety stakeholders – including government agencies (MOT, JPJ, JKR, PDRM, MOH), research bodies (MIROS), state councils, NGOs, and the private sector – to ensure a unified and effective national strategy.
  • Championing the Safe System: Actively advocating for the integration of safe system principles across all facets of road safety – from infrastructure design and speed management to vehicle safety standards and user education.
  • Strengthening State-Level Action: Revitalising and empowering State Road Safety Councils (State MKJRs) to develop and implement impactful, localised safety plans and interventions that address specific regional risks, ensuring alignment with national goals.  
  • Driving Evidence-Based Programmes: Stimulating and supporting the implementation of targeted, SSA-rooted initiatives requiring multi-agency cooperation, such as the ‘My Safe Road Programme’ focusing on high-risk districts and efforts to create safer environments around schools (‘Safe School Zones’).

By fostering this collaborative, system-focused approach, MKJR is dedicated to guiding Malaysia towards achieving critical global road safety objectives. Our work aligns directly with the United Nations’ Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, with the goal of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50 percent from 2021 to 2030.


These efforts are further underpinned by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Target 3.6 (halving global deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes by 2020, although the ambition continues) and Target 11.2 (providing access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all). Our strategies draw upon the guidance provided by the 12 voluntary Global Road Safety Performance Targets developed by the World Health Organisation and partners.


Through these concerted actions, guided by international best practice and global commitments, MKJR strives towards realising a future where no one is killed or seriously injured on Malaysia’s roads.