High time govt agencies team up to rein in rempit menace, says Lee Lam Thye

KUALA LUMPUR: The government should find effective ways to curb the mat rempit problem as illegal street racers have been an issue for decades, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

The Alliance for Safe Community chairman said the mat rempit menace is detrimental to road safety.

"The government should leave no stone unturned in eradicating this problem once and for all. It has gone on long enough,” said Lee.

"The Home Ministry, other relevant ministries and agencies should form a task force to find the best solution to the problem," he addedwhen contacted on Tuesday (Aug 10).

He was commenting on the recent deaths of two policemen - Sjn Mohd Arifah Md Yassin and Kons Mohd Muradzi Mohd Nawi - who were involved in an accident while pursuing a suspected rempit on the SILK Highway at about 1.30am on Sunday (Aug 8).

"My deepest condolences to the families of both policemen. They died in the line of duty while pursuing a suspect," Lee said.

He added that the police have been at the forefront in the fight against mat rempit, working tirelessly over decades and numerous operations.

"They often risk their lives for the safety of others. It is time for the government to focus its efforts on effectively dealing with the menace as lives are at stake," he said.

"I hope the police will give priority to risk assessment every time they conduct an operation.

"During training, they should also emphasise occupational safety and health (OSH)," added Lee.

"We have seen many incidents where policemen were injured during operations, so proper risk assessment and OSH are important," he said.

Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Zaid Hassan said Sjn Mohd Arifah and Kons Mohd Muradzi were chasing after suspected illegal racers on their motorcycles while supporting Ops Samseng Jalanan on Sunday.

“At KM24.4 of the highway, the policemen crashed into each other. The area is a hotspot for illegal racing,” he had said in a statement.

Both policemen were from the Kajang district police headquarters.