JITRA (Kedah): Malaysian Transport Minister has clarified vehicles from foreign countries such as Singapore are exempted from the new rear seat-ruling, Bernama reported.

The ruling was only for Malaysian-registered vehicles, he told Bernama. But he did not rule out the possibility of the rule being enforced on foreign vehicles in the future, Bernama said.

"It would be better if the rear passengers (of foreign vehicles) also wear belts," he told Bernama.

Malaysia started enforcing the rule for rear-seat passengers to buckle up to reduce road deaths from Jan 1. But drivers of foreign cars were unclear whether they were required to follow suit.

Until June 30, Malaysian vehicle owners and passengers will be fined RM300($126) for not wearing seat belts. From July 1, they could be fined up to RM2,000, jailed for a maximum of one year, or both, under the Road Transport Act.