The transport ministry says it is finalising amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) to introduce clearer provisions aimed at curbing the Mat Rempit menace. According to deputy transport minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, the amendments would address aspects such as careless and dangerous riding as well as illegal racing.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, he said that the government has been looking at how to tighten existing laws to introduce harsher penalties for illegal motorcycle racing, aimed at serving as a deterrent to such activities.
“The draft bill for the amendment of Act 333 has been brought to the attorney general’s chambers,” he said, responding to a question from Pang Hok Liong (PH-Labis) on the most effective measures to curb Mat Rempit activities.
Hasbi said that the ministry has also been actively tackling the issue through various measures. Among these are Op Samseng Jalanan operations, monitoring through social media as well as awareness campaigns, The Star reports.
He said that the road transport department (JPJ) is also working with the ministry of domestic trade and cost of living (KPDN) to curb the sale of non-compliant and modified motorbikes. Additionally, motorcycles seized due to illegal racing and extreme modifications will also be disposed of.
“Disposing of modified vehicles seized will be a lesson for motorbike users. This is because several mat rempits are not worried when their vehicles get seized as they know the seized items will be returned,” he explained.
In the past, road safety experts have called on policymakers to amend the legal framework to ensure harsher penalties are imposed and the designation of Mat Rempit is more clearly defined. In 2022, the government said it was looking to impose heavier penalties on those involved in illegal motorcycle racing through an amendment of the Road Transport Act 1987, but under Section 42 of the act.
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