GEORGE TOWN: Besides implementing heavier penalties to curb the Mat Rempit menace, the government also needs to carry out awareness programmes to educate the younger generation, says criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy.
The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) lecturer said youths must be raised to become responsible drivers and instilled with good values and ethics from a young age.
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“They have to be educated to value other people’s lives, drive safely, and not cause harm to themselves or others.
“To deal with the illegal street racer problem, there are many aspects, and human behaviour is one of them. We need to look beyond traffic rules and regulations and the road transport law,” he added.
Sundramoorthy said teaching them while they are young would be part of a long-term solution.
“We need a more holistic approach besides just passing their theory test and heading straight to the practical test.
“One of the possible solutions is to have a driver education programme as part of the school syllabus. It can be incorporated into curriculum programmes.
“Long-term education is always better than short-term memorising,” he added.
Sundramoorthy said besides the mandatory fines, traffic offenders can be asked to perform community service.
“By doing so, they might understand the consequences of their actions, which might be causing harm, injury and death to others besides themselves,” he said.
USM psychology expert Dr Chooi Weng Tink said more healthy activities should be held in the community for youths to get involved in.
“When youths understand sportsmanship, responsibility, and discipline, they will find the thrill in illegal activities is not as appealing,” she said.
Malaysian Association of Driving Institutes president Mat Aris Bakar said the government should consider revoking the driving licences of those involved in illegal street racing.
“It could prove a better deterrent than imposing heavier penalties on them.
“Illegal street racing is causing a lot of social problems, including the loss of innocent lives.
“The driving licence is a privilege and not a human right.
“The issuance of driving licences to road users is to make life easier, and not to cause the loss of lives and other social issues.
“Those who do not put their licences to good use should have them revoked immediately,” he said when contacted.
In this, Sundramoorthy agrees, saying that having a driving licence is a privilege and not a constitutional right.
“If you can’t drive safely on the road, then you don’t deserve to be on the road,” he added.
Mat Aris noted that under the new Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2020, those driving under the influence might have their licence revoked for two years or more.
“This approach can be used on those involved in street racing.
“Without a valid licence, they will not be able to drive or ride.
“They might think twice before committing such a dangerous act on the road,” he said.
Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Isham Ishak had said earlier yesterday that heavier penalties would be imposed on illegal street racers.
He said under proposed amendments to Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987, spectators watching by the roadside, workshop operators who modify the machines for racing purposes, and parents of underage racers will also not be spared.
Ikatan Silaturahim Brotherhood founder Azlan Sani Zawawi lauded the Transport Ministry’s move, believing that heavier penalties would help curb the problem.
However, Azlan Sani, better known as Lando Zawawi, admitted that it would take time for the law to have an effect.
“We hope that similar penalties will be imposed on those driving supercars too.
“This will definitely take time, but slowly and surely, the problem will be resolved with heavier penalties.
“Through these punishments, the government will send the message to these traffic offenders and hopefully, it will stop them from taking part in these dangerous activities.
“Besides, suspending their driving licence would work as a short-term solution,” he said.
Ikatan Silaturahim Brotherhood is a grassroots group set up in 2007. It helps to fix potholes and raise awareness about road maintenance issues.
Azlan Sani added that parents also play an important role in curbing this problem.
“It starts from home and parents should keep a close watch on their children.
“They should know their children’s whereabouts and the friends they mix with.
“They should also get to know the social media content that their children look at as there are some so-called influencers who are promoting Mat Rempit activity online,” he said.
Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said illegal racing has been an ongoing problem and despite frequent police operations, racers were still performing this dangerous act.
He said racers might hesitate a moment before riding at top speed due to the heavy penalties, but it would not stop them from doing so.
“Some of them might look for other ways to get money to pay the fines and this might cause other social problems,” said Lee.
He said confiscating their machines or vehicles would be a better option.
“Those who race illegally could have their vehicles or machines taken away and they will be left with nothing to race with anymore,” he added.
Lee said the police were actually putting their lives at risk while carrying out operations to weed out these activities.
“I believe the racers love the thrill and adrenaline rush, so driving and riding recklessly might satisfy them.
“However, these irresponsible acts are a danger to other road users,” he said.
