Send Mat Rempits to jail, says public

28th October 2006 : Article from The Malay Mail

Yesterday, The Malay Mail went to the streets to gauge the public’s opinion on the best way to punish these errant motor- cyclists.

They said heftier fines will not stop these reckless daredevils from hogging the streets and endangering other road-users.

A jail sentence, they felt, might be a better option as being behind bars will surely be a bitter experience for them.

The Cabinet recently instructed the Transport Ministry to review the existing law and submit a proposal to curb the me na c e.

The proposal will include heftier fines, confiscating racers’ vehicle and suspension of their license but will these help? Here are the public’s views: l Jenny Foo, 24, marketing executive, D a m a n s a ra : “The Government should enforce jail term for these errant bikers because they are a danger to other road users.

“Increasing the fines alone will not curb the problem as some of these ‘Mat Rempit’ come from well-off families.” l Vanessa Lim, 20, student, Brick- fi e l d s : “Heftier fines are not enough. A com- bination of community service and fine will be ideal. This would give them a platform to serve the public and to repent.

“Most of the illegal racers are young and they deserve a chance to change.” l C. S. Chong, 22, advertising student, S e re m b a n : “Nothing will change by doubling the fines. Imprisonment will be much better.

“A short time behind bars has a higher possibility of making them repent.” l Vikkraman, 27, Government officer, S e re m b a n : “These illegal racers will not repent if they are only made to pay a higher fine.

“Community service or a short jail term might be a better way to curb the menace.

Learning it the hard way is always the best.” l Nikki Soraya, 19, student, Subang J a ya : “It ’s good that the Government is finally drawing a line for ‘Mat Rempit’.

“Even the police can’t control them. I’ve seen these illegal racers blazing their way past cops many times before.

“I think the only thing that might stop them is a jail term.” l Everlyn Giam, 22, mass communic- ations student, Sunway: “Thumbs up to our Deputy Prime Minister for making the suggestion.

“However, fines and penalties will not solve the problem.

“They should also be made to attend an awareness workshop.” l Lee Jin Fai, 20, student, Damansara J a ya : “Their road antics endangers other mo- torists but a higher fine should be good enough to deter them from illegal racing.”