Firmer approach needed on Mat Rempit illegal racing
It is time for the authorities to find a new approach to address illegal racing considering the high number of fatalities caused by the act of the "Mat Rempit" or illegal racers.
Although there is no official statistics on it, there are reports, almost every month, on road users, including policemen, who are killed or injured because of road gangsters.
The incident which befell traffic policewoman Inspector Margaret Tagum Anak Goen, 32, who was killed when hit by a "Mat Rempit" in Kluang, Johor, last Sunday reflects how daring and bold these illegal racers can be.
Questions arise on the need for the authorities to introduce a more deterrent law, including to impose a mandatory jail sentence against those convicted of taking part in illegal racing.
The president of the 1Malaysia Young Boys Solidarity Club, Jamal Md Yunos ( photo ), said the existing laws were sufficient, but that there was a need for a more aggressive effort to enforce the laws.
Currently, those found participating in illegal racing could be charged under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving and if found guilty, face an imprisonment of up to five years or fine of up to RM15,000, or both.
Jamal said there would also be a rise in criminal cases involving illegal racers if no concerted efforts were made to address the problem.
1.5 million youths involved in illegal racing
Citing a study conducted by the club, Jamal said, 2.9 million youths currently owned a motorcycle each in the country and 50 percent of them were involved in illegal racing.
"The study, which was based on statistics from the Road Transport Department and the Road Safety Council, also showed each state has an average of 100,000 Mat Rempit," he said in an interview with Bernama in Kuala Lumpur.
The 1Malaysia Young Boys Solidarity Club, formed last May, now has 25,000 members, comprising Mat Rempit.
The club organises various programmes to avoid them from engaging in illegal racing or other unhealthy activities.
Besides the incident which befell Insp Margaret, there were also other cases of traffic policemen who sustained injuries in operations against the "Mat Rempit".
One incident was on Aug 17 during which a policeman fractured his collar bone and ankle.
In Muar, Johor, a police constable was injured on the lips and hands when he was run over by a Mat Rempit last June, while in December last year, a motorcyclist was injured when a group of Mat rempit crashed into him on the Besraya Expressway.
As for the Mat Rempit, a heavy fine awaits them if they are caught, like in August last year where two Mat Rempit were sentenced to a day's jail and RM5,000 fine each by the Kuala Lumpur Traffic Magistrate's Court for riding their motorcycles in a dangerous manner by doing the 'wheelie'.
Bukit Aman Traffic police chief Mohd Fuad Abdul Latif said operations like 'Ops Selamat' or 'Ops Warta' were often conducted to nab those involved in illegal racing.
"Due to shortage of personnel, the operations cannot be conducted daily or on a weekly basis," Fuad added.
- Bernama
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