Despite the authorities' move to allow non-professional racing at the circuits in Sepang and Pasir Gudang, the act by the street speed fiends or popularly dubbed as 'mat rempit' continues to sizzle and hot up.
There is no lack of action available for these illegal street racers particularly at the Sepang International circuit which hosts events like the Malaysian Super Series (MSS) on the weekend.
To race in that event, those with motorcycles of 250 cc (power) and above are required to pay RM100 each while for bikers with machines of below 250 cc in power, the fee is RM70 each.
Hence, claims that these road racers have no place to let off their steam can be regarded as baseless as it appears that the mat rempit prefer to race at their 'street circuits'.
Kuala Lumpur Senior Traffic Investigating Officer ASP Rizal Abdul Rahman Sidek said despite the many facilities, the mat rempit appear not to be interested.
MAT REMPIT
"Police have no prejudice against this group. We know that most of them are from families that have problems," he said, adding that under the law the name mat rempit is non-existent, only that the media had coined the term.
"Mat rempit always claim that they have no venues to race, but that is only an excuse. They took part in the illegal races in order to build their reputation apart from getting the gratification".
Rizal said this during a forum "Dunia Mat Rempit: Masyarakat Terhimpit (World of Mat Rempit: Troubled Society) at the Malaysian Institute of Islamic Understanding (Ikim) here recently.
Rizal also said 90 per cent of these illegal racers are Malays.
FORMER STREET RACER
A former mat rempit, Syairul Azahar Alias, 24, who spoke at the forum, said they were not really that choosy over the venue for the races.
"We only want to be free and by racing in the streets we get the satisfaction that we seek and the reputation that we received," said the Auto Bavaria Berhad technician.
He said the prize, that came in the form of women and money, was only secondary as the priority were the 'honour and reputation'.
Syairul Azhar also denied that the road racers were out to get public attention.
"We never care whether there were people watching us in action. We took to the streets whenever the other mat rempit gangs challenged us to a street duel.
"In the world of mat rempit, there were many gangs. They raced to show that who were the more superior.
"Even though there is danger, the honour is more important," said Syairul Azhar who had stopped being an illegal racer for some three years.
SON OF MUEEZIN
Meanwhile, another former speed fiend, 32-year-old Rosmaini Abdul Rahman, agreed with what Syairul Azhar had said.
The son of a muezzin of a mosque in Kuantan, Pahang, Rosmaini went into street racing at the age of 16 years and stopped from being involved in this illegal activity when he became badly ill.
According to Rosmaini, seeing action at 'legal' race circuits gave the mat rempit no pleasure, neither thrill nor satisfaction. This was compounded by the fact that they had the race fees.
"Like what Syairul had said, the prize is only secondary. What is more important is the reputation," said Rosmaini who is now a religious class teacher.
Asked on whether flaws in the family institution had anything to do with the issue, Rosmaini said there was none, instead peer influence was a major factor.
PEER PRESSURE
"No family problems had pushed me into being involved in this menace. I became involved due to influence by friends. Having too much freedom was also another factor," he said.
Meanwhile Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye lauded the call by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) for amendments to be made to the Road Transport Act 1987 to curtail the activities of the illegal street racers.
Among others, the police want a stiffer penalty on mat rempit involved in the illegal road racing.
Meanwhile, president of a motorcycling club, 'Kelab RD', Azhanyzam Zakaria said such a move would be a good measure but would not be enough to curb this menace.
When contacted, he said the authorities should consider creating another race circuit for the mat rempit, a place closer like in Bukit Jalil apart from imposing a stiff penalty on the offenders.
NEARER CIRCUIT
In Azhanyzam's opinion, a race circuit located at Bukit Jalil should be able to reduce the number of illegal races on the streets in the city.
"Bukit Jalil is nearer to the city as compared against Sepang. They (mat rempit) do not like it (Sepang) as it is too far (from the city). However if they still participate in illegal racing, then the authorities should give out stiff punishment.
"Seizing or impounding their motorcycles is not the answer as this could lead to more crimes like motorcycle thefts. Furthermore, most of them came from troubled and poor families," he added.
