Tuesday, October 17, 2006 : Article from The Star KOTA BARU: Police here slapped 5,600 summons on some 2,000 “mat rempit” since the start of this year while 1,429 motorcycles were also seized on suspicion of illegal modifications. This showed that Kelantan police were vigilent on clamping down on illegal races, State CPO SAC (I) Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah said. Responding to claims from certain quarters that police here were slow to react to “mat rempit” activities, SAC (I) Zulkifli said the arrest records speaks for itself. He said a total of 120 operations were also conducted since Jan to round up suspected “mat rempit” who terrorise other road users with reckless speeding or racing. Most of juveniles nabbed under such operations saw that their parents were alerted by the police and the adults were adviced that their children must be constantly monitored, he said. SAC (I) Zulkifli said this at the launching of the state-level “Ops Sikap XI” for the coming festive period. Present was state road safety council chairman Mej (B) Anizam Ab Rahman and Kota Baru Lions Club chairman N. Subramaniam. A total of 240 traffic policemen will be deployed to manage the flow of 1.5million vehicles expected to use the trunk roads here. In addition, 40 General Operations Force personnel have been called up to assist the traffic police. Mej (B) Anizam who is also a state executive councillor, urged motorists to observe the new speed limit of 80km per hour when entering Kelantan. During the 2005 “Adil Fitri”, a total of seven fatal accidents were recorded and he hoped that this year it would be zero. He also praised the police for installing speed humps at strategic locations in the state to deter “mat rempit” activities.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
5,600 summons on 2,000 'mat rempit' issued in Kota Baru this year
Good idea to seize machines of illegal racers
Monday, October 16, 2006 : Article from The Star Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said it was high time that the law was amended to hit the Mat Rempit where it hurts most – by seizing their precious machines. “We could see a sudden drop in illegal racing cases if the proposed amendment to the law is implemented and enforced. “We may even be able to eradicate the menace,” he told reporters in Alor Star. Radzi said the law should not go easy on the Mat Rempit as their irresponsible acts put other people’s lives in danger. Federal police traffic chief Senior Asst Comm (II) Nooryah Md Anvar said: “We have been waiting for such a decision since the Mat Rempit are not obeying the law.” “We need to make these Mat Rempit realise their mistake because they have taken away many innocent lives,” she added. MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong said the Cabinet decision was one that no one should object to. He believed that the Cabinet had also taken the families of victims into consideration before making the decision. Putera Umno chief Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said he supported the proposal “101%”. “I am the chief of Putera Umno, which comes under the ruling party. And so I always back the Government’s decision. “Besides, the existence of Putera Umno is not to become the organiser of illegal racing. Rather, we want to change their negative attitude and put them back on the proper track,” he said. He added that Putera Umno was working closely with the Youth and Sports Ministry to provide a platform for the Mat Rempit to race legally at a circuit.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet’s decision to come up with harsher penalties for illegal street racers has received the thumbs-up from various parties.
Government planning stiffer penalties to stop Mat Rempit menace
Monday, October 16, 2006 : Article from The Star Their motorcycles would be confiscated and their licences suspended. Action would also be taken against the organisers of the illegal races. These are some amendments to the laws that the Government is looking at to overcome the problem. “This is a clear signal that the Government is serious in overcoming the problem of illegal racing,” Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak told reporters after launching a road safety campaign. He said there was a proposal by some quarters to impose mandatory jail terms for illegal racing but the Cabinet felt that the punishment was to heavy.
KUALA LUMPUR: Stiffer penalties await Mat Rempit.
“What should be done is to tighten the law by confiscating motorcycles, suspending licences, imposing heavier penalty and taking action against organisers of illegal races,” he said.
Najib likened road users who flout the law as “thieves.”
“If they think they can ‘steal’ and escape from enforcement, they will do it. They don't realise that they are actually affecting the whole system.”
He expressed disappointment over the 6,000-odd road fatalities each year despite the Government’s efforts to reduce road accidents.
“This is unacceptable. If we multiply 6,000 with 10 years, we get 60,000, which is comparable to a population of a small town. It would be great if we can reduce the number.”
Najib said he told enforcement officers from the police and Road Transport Department to issue summonses on the spot to road users who flout the law during the festive seasons.
“Don’t give them a chance! Just issue the summons and don’t allow them to accumulate arrears.
“Don’t practice discretionary power because that will create other problems,” he said.