Harsher fines and jail terms for Mat Rempit starting next year

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Apparently, the days of illegal motorcycle street racers, and those who encourage them, coming to an end. Starting next year, these racers - or Mat Rempit - will face a minimum RM5,000 fine as well as jail time. The current minimum fine is a paltry RM300.

As for parents of minors caught partaking in races, as well as those who are spectating by the road sides, will not be exempted from punishment either under the proposed changes to Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987.

According to Datuk Isham Ishak, secretary-general of the Transport Ministry, these changes would also penalise workshop owners who provide modifications for motorcycles used for illegal street racing.

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“These illegal racers not only put their own lives at risk but also that of other road users. We are looking at increasing the minimum fine amount to between RM5,000 and RM10,000 from RM300. Spectators who are part of the illegal races will also face action. Parents too play an important role in curbing their children’s behaviour, especially those aged under 18,” Isham added.

The third set of changes to the Act follows the previous two, which increased the penalty for drunk driving and regulated e-hailing services. Isham predicts that these new revisions will likely be presented at the first Dewan Rakyat meeting next year.

Input from the ministry, the Road Transport Department (JPJ), the police (PDRM), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the general public would be sought through a task force, he explained.

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“We need a holistic study and approach to solve this issue fairly. Workshop operators who modify bikes for street racing purposes may see their licences revoked. Increasing the insurance premiums for those who have been involved in illegal racing is also being considered,” continued Isham further regarding the matter.

In the near future, Isham also stated that police and JPJ would continue their efforts to put an end to the Mat Rempit menace.

“We will place cameras in illegal racing hotspots to identify the racers and spectators, starting in Penang. If it works, we will use the same approach in other states.”

According to Comm. Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, Penang Chief of Police, the time has passedfor the government to develop an all-encompassing plan to stop the threat. “The police will work hand-in-hand with JPJ and the public to share data and information to solve this problem, once and for all,” he said.

On July 17, an accident involving illegal street racers claimed five lives – Mohd Haziq Harris, 34, Muhammad Shazwan Hakim Mohd Abdul Sani, 22, Muhammad Eizreel Muhamad Roszaidi, 25, Ahmad Haikal Naif Ahmad Nazrul, 19, and Muhammad Harith Zikri Yusnizar, 17.

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Another rider who was injured, Muhammad Rahimi Shukor, 19, has since been discharged from hospital. The 22-year-old patient Muhammad Shazwan Hafiz Mohd Abdul Sani was taken to a private hospital for care.

Data from the traffic police shows that there were 329,296 motorbike accidents between 2019 and 2021. In these three years, 10,188 motorcyclists died: 3,959 people in 2019, 3,118 in 2020, and 3,111 in 2021.