Comm Mohd Shuhaily giving a press conference at the George Town police headquarters in Penang. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
The Road Transport Act 1987 should be amended to make the penalties for illegal racing more severe, say the Penang police when proposing a way to curb illegal racing in the state.
Penang police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the matter was discussed during a strategic planning meeting between the police and several agencies.
The meeting at George Town district police headquarters involved the Road Transport Department (JPJ), the Environment Department, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), local councils, the Education Department and Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAIPP).
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said the changes should include enactment of special laws against illegal racers, their parents and spectators at illegal races.
“Our suggestions include increasing summonses for those who modify motorcycles for racing and a law enabling the authorities to take action against workshops doing modifications to components and basic structure of motorcycles,” he said at a press conference after chairing the meeting.
He said the proposals discussed during the meeting would be brought up to the Federal Government.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said that due to frequent police operations, Penang was now free from large-scale illegal racing activities.
He said that so far, police had identified 13 illegal racing hotspots and operations were conducted to curb the activity.
He added that 76 suspects aged between 16 and 36 were arrested for being involved in illegal racing and 5,009 summonses had been issued in 206 operations conducted all over Penang since July last year.
Last July 17, tragedy struck a group who were said to have gathered for joyrides and possibly illegal races. Five men were killed and two motorcyclists seriously injured in an accident involving several motorcycles and two cars on the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said bodies such as USM, the Education Department and JHEAIPP played important roles in educating people on the issue.
“The involvement of other agencies will also help us to achieve our objective in combating illegal racing,” he said.
