sideviews

Legalising mat rempits – Tan Poh Kheng

February 25, 2016

It has become fashionable these days for anything illegal to get legalised.

All that an illegal foreign worker needs is RM4,000 to get “bleached” and become legal, earning their ringgit fearlessly and sending home big bucks.

Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan is even more creative in coming up with a whimsical idea of closing KL streets twice a week for road racers to legally indulge in their dangerous and rowdy pastime.

The notorious mat pempits will get instantly “bleached” and become the legalised “mat motors”.

The exact location is yet to be announced, but since these road racers have earlier shunned the Batu Tiga circuit the government has set aside for them, and gone on sprinting along the city's thoroughfares instead, it is anticipated that the authorities will very likely close a few highways in town tor these daredevils to enjoy themselves.

So, the criminal acts of these mat rempits are not only legalised and rationalised now, probably more will be encouraged to seek an outlet for their excess stamina racing on the road.

To maximise their sensual pleasures, these people have elaborately modified their machines to pit themselves against rival riders along city roads in the wee hours of the morning, or speed along busy streets, jump the red light, snake their way along crowded roads and break every traffic rule at the expense of other road users' safety.

These people do not just race on the city roads but are often implicated in other vices such as gang fights, snatch theft, bullying and narcotic addiction. Snatch theft, in particular, has become synonymous with mat rempits.

The city police headquarters has several years ago set up a special squad to tackle these lawless riders. Often drug addiction, motorcycle theft and other crimes were detected during the police's raid on them.

Some might argue that road racing is merely a pastime to relieve stress and excess energy, but whatever the motive is, road racing is already in its essence an unlawful act that must never be legalised or encouraged on any excuse.

There are many ways the government can show its care for the people, but legalising illegal street racers must not be one. Is the government also mulling legalising drugs and amphetamine now that many youngsters are addicted to them?

Ku Nan is of the view that by creating a safe environment for “mat motors, the government will be able to more effectively control the youngsters so that they will not engage themselves in illegal road racing activities or flout the traffic regulations.

But, such a cognisance is of questionable quality and is extremely perilous.

Street racing itself is a very risky activity. No one can guarantee that highways close to all other traffic makes a safe racing ground for our youngsters, and no one can assure us that these mat rempits will halt all illegal racing activities henceforth. – mysinchew.com, February 25, 2016.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.