Good Samaritan Law May Ease Fears, but Training and Awareness Key to Saving Lives, Say Experts

KUALA LUMPUR: Legal protection for Good Samaritans could help reduce hesitation among bystanders during emergencies, but experts and civil society leaders stress that laws alone are not enough without widespread first aid training, public awareness, and easy access to life-saving equipment.

Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, chairman of the Alliance for a Safe Community, said many Malaysians are willing to help in emergencies but hesitate due to uncertainty and fear of making mistakes rather than a lack of compassion.

“People worry about doing the wrong thing or being blamed later. This hesitation often stems from a lack of confidence and knowledge, not just legal uncertainty,” he said.

Lee emphasized that basic preparedness, such as knowing emergency contact numbers, recognizing danger signs, and understanding simple first-response actions, can significantly improve outcomes during critical moments. While a Good Samaritan law could reassure the public by offering legal protection, he said it must be supported by practical measures that empower people to act.

“A law alone cannot teach someone how to perform CPR or use an automated external defibrillator (AED). These are skills that must be learned and practiced,” he said, adding that legal safeguards should complement, not replace, public education and skills development.

Public health medicine specialist Datuk Dr. Zainal Ariffin Omar highlighted that immediate bystander intervention often determines survival, particularly in cases of cardiac arrest, severe bleeding, and choking.

“For cardiac arrest, survival chances decrease by seven to 10 percent for every minute without CPR or defibrillation. Bystander CPR can double or even triple survival rates,” he said, noting that ambulance response times in urban areas can range from eight to 15 minutes.

Dr. Zainal called for expanded CPR and basic first aid training in schools, workplaces, and community programs, alongside increased availability of AEDs in public spaces such as shopping malls, transport hubs, and residential areas.

Civil lawyer Ananthan Moorthi said fears of legal repercussions are often disproportionate to the actual risks. Although Malaysia does not currently have a specific Good Samaritan law, he noted that existing legal provisions already provide some protection for actions taken in good faith.

“Successful lawsuits against people who genuinely try to help in emergencies are extremely rare. Courts recognize the urgency of such situations and do not expect perfection,” he said.

However, Ananthan cautioned that any future Good Samaritan legislation must be carefully crafted to prevent reckless or negligent behavior. Legal protection, he said, should apply to honest mistakes made while attempting to help, but not to serious carelessness or intentional harm.

“The law should also consider who is providing assistance. A member of the public should not be judged by the same standards as a trained doctor or medic,” he added.

Experts agree that building an effective Good Samaritan culture requires more than legislation. Continuous training, public awareness campaigns, and easy access to life-saving tools are essential to ensuring that good intentions translate into lives saved.