No 'mat rempit' in mass motorcycle convoy in Penang, say cops

GEORGE TOWN: There were no 'mat rempit' in a convoy of over 200 motorcycles along the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway here in the wee hours on Sunday (Aug 28), say the police.

George Town OCPD Asst Comm Soffian Santong said that no elements of illegal racing were found in the motorcycles in the convoy.

"We did not detect elements of illegal racing and they were found to be cruising casually," he said.

ACP Soffian said that some of the motorcyclists were from Penang, while some were from other states such as Johor and Kedah.

He however added that 23 motorcyclists aged between 16 and 25 were arrested and brought back to the Northeast district police station.

"We have issued 48 compounds and confiscated nine motorbikes. Four of the confiscated motorcycles were found to have their exhaust changed and five of them have no valid driving licenses," he said during a press conference at the northeast district police station on Sunday.

ACP Soffian said the other offences include number plates which do not follow the specification given, using the accessories that are not allowed, no road tax, no P and L stickers.

"We will continue to monitor and take stern and aggressive actions towards the offenders.

"We will arrest and consider asking for a longer remand for those involved," he said

"We will not tolerate illegal racers who put their lives as well as other road users at risk," added ACP Soffian.

Meanwhile, a 31-year-old entrepreneur who was heading home after her friend's marriage proposal said that she was shocked to see hundreds of motorcycles on the Expressway.

The entrepreneur - who wished to be known as Chew - said she was driving home from town back to Bayan Baru at about 1am when she saw the convoy.

"The motorcyclists were riding along the E-gate area heading to the town area.

"There were a few hundred of them. However, they were not riding recklessly.

"It seemed like they were just casually cruising around on a weekend night," she said.