Comment by Rohaizad A. Rahim
COME November, there will be an attempt by Putera Umno to change the image of the perceived terrors on the road, the Mat Rempit, and turn them to Mat Cemerlang, and hopefully, they will be reformed.
But whether this will be an exercise in futility remains to be seen. As a first step, Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaludin and Putera Umno chief Datuk Abdul Azeez Rahim mingled with more than 1,500 Mat Rempit at Dataran Merdeka during the weekend in the hope of bringing about these reforms.
Unfortunately, early Wednesday morning, a group of young motorcyclists went on a rampage in Jalan Medang Serai, Bangsar, smashing windscreens of vehicles just because a resident shouted at them for making noise. Don't blame the resident for yelling at them - it was 5am!
So, how does Putera Umno think that the image of these Mat Rempit can be redeemed? Going by the most recent incident, it is unlikely that people will lend support to those they perceive to be the scourge of society.
Azeez thinks he can, and plans to start by organising a carnival in November in an attempt to re-brand them from Mat Rempit to Mat Cemerlang. The movement also plans to organise the Mat Rempit into clubs and have their activities regulated.
It is hoped the movement will do its homework before being overwhelmed by the task they have set upon themselves.
Point number one - these Mat Rempit, or illegal street racers, get their enthusiasm fuelled by defying authority. After all, why should so many of them gather in the wee hours of the morning (the gatherings are already illegal) and race among themselves on public roads, which is also against the law.
Secondly, the police, by way of Kuala Lumpur Traffic Operation and Enforcement chief DSP Tan Hiap Seng, had defined Mat Rempit as young motorcyclists showing off their riding skills and endangering themselves and others in the process.
Putera Umno should get the opinions of others before embarking on this reformation exercise.
For instance, the opinion of traffic police should be sought as they are familiar with the antics and shenanigans of these racers, what more with some of them sustaining near fatal injuries in the course of their duties.
Another good source are the people and motorists themselves. Who among us do not view Mat Rempit and other illegal racers on four wheels as a threat to our well being? Especially when we see a motorcyclist barrelling down the wrong way on a busy street just to escape the law.
Putera Umno's argument that it is difficult to stop the Mat Rempit from pursuing their interests needs clarification, especially when it is an established fact that their interest is racing on public roads, which is against the law.
Another point that requires clarification is that these Mat Rempit should not be viewed as a threat, and that the analogy used - if you can't beat them, join them - is way off mark.
There is also the point about things to be learnt from this group, such as their camaraderie. Yes, they have strong bonding among them, as residents in Jalan Medang Serai found out when vehicles were smashed for yelling to pipe down during the wee hours of the morning.
Perhaps a better option will be for the movement to work with authorities to overcome the problem.
Suggestions, such as getting the Mat Rempit licensed by the Road Transport Department will be a good start, but the more important aspect that needs to be addressed is how to educate them.
Getting streets closed so that they can race among themselves should not be considered at all. It will cause more harm and certainly give the country a bad name among tourists, both local and foreign.
And again, to legalise such races is tantamount to encouraging youths to risk life and limb for the sake of being a jaguh kampung.
Getting them organised into clubs is a good idea but how do you regulate illegal activities? Mat Rempit do it for fame, money, drugs and girls - can society afford this?
The other point of contention is whether their interests will remain if their activities were somehow legalised? A television station which interviewed these Mat Rempit not too long ago found out that it was the “rush” of breaking the law that fuelled their enthusiasm.
It is a difficult issue for Putera Umno to address. On paper, the movement's attempt to reach out to the youth in this sub-culture is good, but what people care about is the results.
What the movement should address is the anti-establishment attitude of Mat Rempit when it comes to respecting the law. It will do the movement no good if those they want to reach out to continue to flout the law.
Therefore, the movement should look into a comprehensive solution to the problem. A re-branding exercise sounds good, but it will remain just that.
My take: "We are Borg, resistance is futile" Yeah right... better ban small CC (below 500) bikes off the city streets and expressways.
COME November, there will be an attempt by Putera Umno to change the image of the perceived terrors on the road, the Mat Rempit, and turn them to Mat Cemerlang, and hopefully, they will be reformed.
But whether this will be an exercise in futility remains to be seen. As a first step, Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaludin and Putera Umno chief Datuk Abdul Azeez Rahim mingled with more than 1,500 Mat Rempit at Dataran Merdeka during the weekend in the hope of bringing about these reforms.
Unfortunately, early Wednesday morning, a group of young motorcyclists went on a rampage in Jalan Medang Serai, Bangsar, smashing windscreens of vehicles just because a resident shouted at them for making noise. Don't blame the resident for yelling at them - it was 5am!
So, how does Putera Umno think that the image of these Mat Rempit can be redeemed? Going by the most recent incident, it is unlikely that people will lend support to those they perceive to be the scourge of society.
Azeez thinks he can, and plans to start by organising a carnival in November in an attempt to re-brand them from Mat Rempit to Mat Cemerlang. The movement also plans to organise the Mat Rempit into clubs and have their activities regulated.
It is hoped the movement will do its homework before being overwhelmed by the task they have set upon themselves.
Point number one - these Mat Rempit, or illegal street racers, get their enthusiasm fuelled by defying authority. After all, why should so many of them gather in the wee hours of the morning (the gatherings are already illegal) and race among themselves on public roads, which is also against the law.
Secondly, the police, by way of Kuala Lumpur Traffic Operation and Enforcement chief DSP Tan Hiap Seng, had defined Mat Rempit as young motorcyclists showing off their riding skills and endangering themselves and others in the process.
Putera Umno should get the opinions of others before embarking on this reformation exercise.
For instance, the opinion of traffic police should be sought as they are familiar with the antics and shenanigans of these racers, what more with some of them sustaining near fatal injuries in the course of their duties.
Another good source are the people and motorists themselves. Who among us do not view Mat Rempit and other illegal racers on four wheels as a threat to our well being? Especially when we see a motorcyclist barrelling down the wrong way on a busy street just to escape the law.
Putera Umno's argument that it is difficult to stop the Mat Rempit from pursuing their interests needs clarification, especially when it is an established fact that their interest is racing on public roads, which is against the law.
Another point that requires clarification is that these Mat Rempit should not be viewed as a threat, and that the analogy used - if you can't beat them, join them - is way off mark.
There is also the point about things to be learnt from this group, such as their camaraderie. Yes, they have strong bonding among them, as residents in Jalan Medang Serai found out when vehicles were smashed for yelling to pipe down during the wee hours of the morning.
Perhaps a better option will be for the movement to work with authorities to overcome the problem.
Suggestions, such as getting the Mat Rempit licensed by the Road Transport Department will be a good start, but the more important aspect that needs to be addressed is how to educate them.
Getting streets closed so that they can race among themselves should not be considered at all. It will cause more harm and certainly give the country a bad name among tourists, both local and foreign.
And again, to legalise such races is tantamount to encouraging youths to risk life and limb for the sake of being a jaguh kampung.
Getting them organised into clubs is a good idea but how do you regulate illegal activities? Mat Rempit do it for fame, money, drugs and girls - can society afford this?
The other point of contention is whether their interests will remain if their activities were somehow legalised? A television station which interviewed these Mat Rempit not too long ago found out that it was the “rush” of breaking the law that fuelled their enthusiasm.
It is a difficult issue for Putera Umno to address. On paper, the movement's attempt to reach out to the youth in this sub-culture is good, but what people care about is the results.
What the movement should address is the anti-establishment attitude of Mat Rempit when it comes to respecting the law. It will do the movement no good if those they want to reach out to continue to flout the law.
Therefore, the movement should look into a comprehensive solution to the problem. A re-branding exercise sounds good, but it will remain just that.
My take: "We are Borg, resistance is futile" Yeah right... better ban small CC (below 500) bikes off the city streets and expressways.
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