PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will engage with Thailand through the government-to-government (G2G) to address the plight of Malaysian superbike riders crossing into the kingdom.
Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said the ministry will bring up the issue to the Thailand government through the Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) which is hosted annually.
He said this following a memorandum submission by the Bikers United Club Malaysia (BUCM) today, at the ministry's headquarters here.
The BUCM had urged the ministry to intervene in the problem faced by riders and their families in the event of an accident or death during their road expedition to the kingdom.
In the memorandum, BUCM cited several incidences where the families of the deceased bikers are demanded to pay a hefty sum to retrieve the remains of their loved ones.
In addition they are seeking a review of the high penalty the bikers had to pay Thai authorities when they are involved in minor road accidents and accidents where they are not at fault.
In accepting the memorandum, Reezal said their greviances will be submitted at the G2G meeting with Thailand.
"I believe there is a serious lack of knowledge of regulation, laws and insurance structure by Malaysians in Thailand.
"Therefore at the meeting, matters such as the type of insurance to be taken and the appointment of established and reliable insurance companies to represent Malaysians, how to resolve language barrier between to parties, and engagement with a panel of lawyers will be raised," he added.
Malaysians are also urged to observe and be vigilant of the domestic law of the country they are visiting, so that they will be protected, Reezal adviced.
"The bikers are also advised to inform the consulate general office and the embassy each time they plan for a trip.
"This will make sure that they stay under the radar of the ministry and we would be able to render help if needed," he added.
BUCM vice-chairman Azuan Abu Bakar hoped that amicable solution will be reached through the G2G meeting.
"We have lost many lives during our expedition to neighbouring country and their families were slapped with high payments to retrieve their remains.
"This is not fair. We are not blaming anyone but we only want justice to be done," he added.
The BUCM, with a member of 10,000 crosses the Thai border as frequent as twice a month.
Azuan said in the latest case of a Malaysian superbike rider who was killed while his wife was seriously injured in an accident in southern Thailand Jan 16, the family was asked to pay RM27,000 to retrieve the remains.
"Since the family didn’t have that much of money, the club president had paid RM10,000 and mortgaged two bikes to pay the authorities," he added.