NEW approaches are needed by enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to tackle the mat rempit issue.
It was reported in the New Straits Times recently that the police would engage the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to hold mat rempit liable for noise pollution.
Under the law, noise levels exceeding 75dB are considered “pollution” and those charged under Section 23 of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 can be fined a maximum of RM100,000 or jailed not more than five years, or both, upon conviction.
Once this new approach is enforced, police will rope in officers from the ministry to carry out tests on noise pollution during their operations to apprehend the illegal racers.
The law enforcers should
check modified machines, whose exhaust pipes had been tweaked to induce loud noise.
At present, police are investigating and charging the daredevils with dangerous riding and drug abuse, if they are found to have taken or possess illegal substances.
We should not allow our fight against mat rempit to become futile. Although the traffic police have mounted countless roadblocks and awareness campaigns have been organised to stop the mat rempit menace, the problem has become more serious.
Incidents of mat rempit ramming roadblocks and injuring police personnel are on the rise.
Mat rempit also pose a threat to public safety.
Many of them are involved in snatch thefts, apart from terrorising road users.
Over the years, countless women had become the victims of mat rempit. Many had succumbed to their injuries.
These daredevils have also spurred the emergence of mat lajak, or stunt cyclists, who are mainly thrill-seeking underage children. These thrill-seekers idolise mat rempit and emulate their “seniors”.
Since they can’t afford to buy motorcycles, these teenagers convert their bicycles into race machines.
We must find out the root cause of the mat rempit and mat lajak problems. Reports suggest that they come from broken homes and lack parental guidance. Some of them also do not have proper places to release their energy or stress.
The government needs to provide more sports facilities and recreational spaces for youth and teenagers.
As for parents, they should not shirk their responsibilities.
I hope the proposed anti-social behaviour law will have a provision to enable the police to take action against parents whose children are involved in illegal races and basikal lajak activities.
This is important since there are reports that some parents encourage and support their children to modify their bicycles for joy rides.
Besides seeking innovative measures to deal with these problems, it is proposed that the government expedite the introduction of new legislation to curb anti-social behaviours.
It was reported that under the proposed Anti-Social Behaviour Act, police would have the authority to detain or take action against those causing distress or nuisance to the public, like what is being practised in many developed countries.
Since the activities also involve minors, the police do not have the authority to arrest them under the present laws.
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE
Executive council member, Malaysia Crime Prevention
Foundation