The secret formula behind the daredevil antics of the Mat Rempit has been revealed - a potion called 'fearless water' ( air berani ).

The potion, a mixture of palm wine ( tuak ) and blood of mud turtles, is said to be normally taken by the Mat Rempits before a race.

According to a tabloid, the potion eliminates fear and give these motorcycle riders the courage to race and execute their stunts.

However, Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharum has never heard of the potion.

"If there is such a potion, it is unhealthy and forbidden (in Islam)," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

The government is currently considering stiffer measures to curb the Mat Rempit menace, including confiscating their motorcycles.

This followed an incident over the weekend where a youth was stabbed to death in Kuala Lumpur during a brawl involving Mat Rempits.

Putera Umno chief Azeez Abdul Rahim has also supported the move. He said the wing will not protect those Mat Rempit who are involved in immoral and illegal activities.

Not superman

Met recently, he told malaysiakini that he is not 'superman' to change the attitude of thousands of Mat Rempit in the blink of an eye.

"I have only gotten close to them over the past two months while the problem has been in existence for the past 20 years. This is a difficult task and nobody had tried to help them before," he said.

According to him, there are more than 150,000 Mat Rempit nationwide, with some 50,000 in the Klang Valley.

Of this figure, he said 80 percent fall under the 'moderate' category who can be returned to the right track with a little guidance.

Whereas the remaining 20 percent are in the 'extreme' category and are normally involved in criminal and immoral activities, he added.

"The majority of Mat Rempit consist of factory workers, despatch clerks and supermarket employees. They ride their motorcycles on a daily basis and group together on the weekends," he said.

On the same note, Azeez said Putera Umno will also keep track of those between the ages of 12 and 16 who form bicycle gangs as they have the potential to become Mat Rempits in future.