Illegal motorcycle racers convicted for a repeat offence may face up to three strokes of the rotan on top of other harsh penalties under a proposed amendment to the Road Transport Act 1987.

public bank road safety campaign 170408 hamza taib Federal Traffic Police Chief SAC (II) Hamza Taib told reporters today that the proposed amendments also spelt out 100 hours of community service for juvenile repeat offenders.

At a press conference after witnessing the launch of a road safety campaign by the police in collaboration with Public Bank and the Education Ministry, Hamza said the amendments would be tabled during the upcoming Parliament session.

This marks a second round of proposed amendments to combat the illegal racing menace - colloquially known as Mat Rempit - as the first round of amendments is still pending in the Dewan Rakyat.

“Previously, we were relying on Section 42 (1) of the Act which is for dangerous driving. Now, we intend to add Section 42 (A) and (B) specifically to address illegal racers,” he said.

Presently, those found guilty under Section 42 (1) can be fined up to RM15,000 or jailed not more than five years, with a two-year driving license suspension.

Harsh penalties

Under the proposed Section 42 (A), illegal racers can be jailed up to five years and fined no less than RM5,000 and have their license suspended for three years.

public bank road safety campaign 170408 launch The proposed amendments stipulates that repeat offenders would be jailed a minimum 10 years, up to three strokes of the rotan, a fine of not less than RM10,000 and five year driving license suspension.

Hamza also revealed that earlier proposals by the police for spectators of illegal racing to be charged had been rejected by the Attorney-Genaral Chambers.

Police Internal Security Department director Comm Hussin Ismail told reporters that the police would also be looking into ways to nab organisers of illegal racing events.

“We can use preventive laws such as the Emergency Ordinance to apprehend them,” said Hussin, adding that no organiser had yet to be nabbed by the police.

Olympic torch run

In another development, Hussin told reporters that the police would be deploying 600 personnel during the Olympic torch run through Kuala Lumpur on April 21.

public bank road safety campaign 170408 prop “We will make sure that the torch run is smooth. Anyone who disrupt the event would be dealt with sternly,” he warned.

Hussin indicated that there were signs that foreign groups may be trying to disrupt the event and the police are investigating the matter.

“But so far, it looks okay,” he said.

He also denied rumours that organisers of the run are detouring from the original route. He said the 16.5km run would start at Dataran Merdeka and end at KLCC.

The Olympic torch run has been marred by disruptions and protests during previous legs of the run by groups that are protesting China’s treatment of Tibet.