Amid the ongoing debate on whether underbone motorcycles, often referred to locally as “kapcai”, should be banned from the heart of Kuala Lumpur, a DAP lawmaker has decided to provide free petrol for 1,000 motorcyclists.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said the event would take place between 4pm and 6pm at the Petron station in Segambut Luar.

“It is limited to motorcycles with an engine capacity of 150cc and below. The allocation is RM5 of petrol for each motorcycle,” he told Malaysiakini.

Lim explained that in previous years, he would hold a Chinese New Year open house in his constituency where residents would also be given hampers.

“This year, I planned to do something different. Therefore, I decided on providing free petrol,” he added.

However, there is also a political twist.

Lim said it is also to show motorcyclists that the opposition is concerned about them unlike “ministers and senior government officials who sit in big cars and are not concerned about the motorcyclists”.

He was responding to Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, who first raised the proposal that underbone motorcycles be banned from the city centre.

The minister said the proposal was among the efforts to reduce carbon emissions apart from tackling snatch thefts and that its implementation would be considered if there was public transport available at reasonable fare for passengers.

Following an outcry, Tengku Adnan said the proposal would not be implemented if the public disagreed.

Meanwhile, Lim denied that providing free petrol was a form of corruption, adding that those who felt otherwise could lodge a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“I don't think this is a bribe and I welcome anyone who think this is a bribe to report to MACC or MACC can be present tomorrow to check how I am 'bribing' the motorcyclists,” he said.