Harassed and furious: Illegal midnight racers getting on Ipoh residents' nerves

IPOH: A group of motorcyclists has been a longstanding nuisance to residents of Taman Pengkalan Utama near here by racing loudly after midnight every Sunday.

Resident Wong Chin Hong said the motorcyclists would start at about 1am and create a ruckus until 3am, affecting their sleep.

"They will ride between the fire station and the traffic light junction near a hypermarket in Station 18 along Jalan Pasir Puteh.

"I believe they have modified the exhaust pipes of their motorcycles, which is why they are so noisy," he said on Monday (April 18), adding that his house was behind a row of shophouses facing the main road.

"It is affecting our sleep. Most of us are often jolted awake by the noise," he said.

"This has been going on for quite some time," said the 35-year-old lecturer, who moved into the residential area in November.

Wong said he would call the police every time the noise started.

"The police will send some officers to chase the motorcyclists away.

"However, right after the police leave, the riders return and continue," he said.

Wong hoped that the police would set up roadblocks in the area during the time the motorcyclists raced.

Locksmith Leong Yu Pun, 64, said the motorcyclists would also gather after midnight on public holidays like National Day or New Year.

"I have lived in the area for seven years and experience this every Sunday after midnight and on public holidays," he said.

"I think most of them are in their late teens and 20s.

"I sincerely hope they will not get hurt," he said, of their apparent reckless behaviour.

Leong said he hoped the police could resolve the issue once and for all.

"I hope the police will send some (plainclothes) officers to take video of their activities as evidence.

"They can also take down some of the number plates and check with the Road Transport Department to identify the motorcyclists and where they live," he said.

"The police should then go to the houses and tell the motorcyclists' parents about their midnight activities.

"Instead of issuing summonses to the motorcyclists, I think they need a proper warning," he added.

Attempts to get Ipoh OCPD Asst Comm Yahaya Hassan, Perak police chief Comm Datuk Mior Faridalathrash Wahid and state police traffic chief Supt Azizan Hassan for comment are ongoing.