PETALING JAYA: Illegal races involving "mat rempits" and motorcycles as well as reckless driving can be penalised under the Road Transport Act (Act 333), and this is covered under two amendments introduced by the Transport Ministry in 2020.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said DAP national chairman Lim Guan Eng wasn't aware about the amendments made on Act 333 in 2020, when the Bagan MP issued a statement on Sunday (July 24) claiming that no action was taken to address the "mat rempit" culture.
"It shows that Lim wasn’t serious and he did not look at the amendments on Act 333 that was passed and gazetted," said Dr Wee in a statement on Sunday (July 24).
Dr Wee pointed out that Section 41 of Act 333 increases the initial minimum two-year jail sentence to five-years, a ban on driving licenses for five-years and from a fine of RM5,000 to RM20,000 for deaths caused by reckless driving, in the first offence.
Subsequent offences under Section 41 of Act 333 increases penalties from a minimum two-years prison to 10 years, and a 10-year ban on driving licenses as well as a fine from RM5,000 to RM50,000, said Dr Wee.
Meanwhile, Dr Wee said amendments to Section 42 which covered reckless and dangerous driving had also increased a ban on driving licenses from two years to five years.
Without mincing his words, Dr Wee said it was unfortunate that Lim had continued accusing the Transport Ministry of having no political will in addressing the menace of 'mat rempit' and reckless driving.
"Throughout Pakatan Harapan’s 22 months in Putrajaya, weren't there any fatal road accident cases involving motorcyclists?" Dr Wee questioned.
"Why didn’t Pakatan have the will to immediately address this issue?" Dr Wee questioned again.
According to Dr Wee, the amendments that he mentioned were pushed in 2020, when he was appointed as Transport Minister.
"I quickly amended Act 333 to increase penalties to offenders to ensure that our roads are safe.
It’s not just about drunk drivers, but also those who are driving under the influence of drugs, dangerously and recklessly," said Dr Wee.
The Ayer Hitam MP also said the Transport Ministry and its agencies have beefed up awareness programs to educate the public on driving safely, adding that joint operations to curb dangerous driving, including illegal racing, are always in place.
Meanwhile, Dr Wee said a special team was formed by the Transport Ministry to focus on accidents involving motorcyclists and there’s an ongoing study to identify a long-term plan to address the matter.
"Among the other aspects that will be looked at are rules, vehicle technical components and advocacy activities that are more effective.
"The details will be announced soon," said Dr Wee.
"The Transport Ministry has always made efforts in ensuring stern action and appropriate punishment can be taken against anyone driving recklessly, including motorcyclists, based on present provisions under the law," added Dr Wee.
On July 24, Lim, in a statement, urged authorities to take sterner action against the "mat rempit" culture and illegal motorcycle racing.
Lim claimed there were more fatal accidents involving "mat rempits" than drunk driving, adding that the authorities seemed to be focused on accidents involving driving under the influence (DUI).
Lim had said the same punishment on DUI should be imposed on "mat rempits" and others involved in illegal racing.
The statement by the DAP national chairman came following a recent accident along the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway in Penang. A multiple-vehicle accident that saw at least five dead and several injured.
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