Putera Umno has expressed its full support for the government to come down hard on errant bikers, known as Mat Rempit, including confiscating their motorcycles.

Its chairperson Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said the wing is also prepared to help the authorities to curb this menace.

"If confiscating motorcycles helps, then the law must be amended immediately to allow such action to be taken," he told malaysiakini when met at his office in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

"We want the police to take stern measures to prevent these Mat Rempits from running loose and doing things that violate the law," he added.

Abdul Azeez stressed that Putera Umno will not protect Mat Rempits who are involved in drugs, illegal racing and immoral activities.

"Mat Rempits cannot go against the law. Those who do so, should be punished severely," he added.

The right track

The Putera Umno leader also expressed regret over the incident where a 21-year-old Mat Rempit was stabbed to death in a fight in Kuala Lumpur over the weekend.

Abdul Azeez said the incident was embarrassing and immediate steps must be taken to prevent such a tragedy from recurring.

He reiterated that Putera Umno has never tried to protect any Mat Rempits involved in immoral and illegal activities.

The wing's aim is to guide these Mat Rempits back on the right track, he pointed out.

Recently, Putera Umno landed in the limelight when a tabloid reported that an excursion organised by the wing for Mat Rempits saw the bikers indulge in sex and booze .

However, Abdul Azeez had denied this.

Previously, Putera Umno had planned to re-brand Mat Rempits as Mat Cemerlang in the hope of changing their image.

The motorcyclists should not be perceived as a threat, Abdul Azeez said then. "If we cannot stop them, we join them. We try to understand them because they are our youths," he had added.