A policeman checking motorcycles lined up during the operation.
KOTA KINABALU: A weekend operation against illegal motorcycle racing saw hundreds of mat rempit scrambling to escape when the police stormed their “racing circuit" at Jalan UMS here.
The operation dubbed “Ops Samseng Jalanan” was conducted from 9pm on Saturday (March 2) to 5.30am the next day.
Kota Kinabalu police chief Asst Comm Mohd Zaidi Abdullah said the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department managed to seize 111 motorcycles that were abandoned by their owners.
He said they also detained two riders for performing dangerous stunts.
Police with motorcycles that were abandoned by the roadside.
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“The suspects were aged 18 and 21. One was found without a licence to ride motorcycles,” he said on Monday (March 4).
“A 19-year-old rider was detained for having a fake number registration plate on his motorcycle, on top of not having a licence,” he added.
ACP Mohd Zaidi said 108 of the 111 motorcycles were impounded under Section 64(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for the purpose of identifying the owners.
He said two motorcycles were impounded for investigation under Section 81(3) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for illegal racing, while the remaining motorcycle was seized under Section 108(3)(f) of the Road Transport Act for having a fake number plate.
Traffic police personnel with one of the motorcycles abandoned by a suspected mat rempit.
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Summonses would be issued to the riders or owners of the 108 motorcycles when they come to claim the vehicle at city police headquarters, he said.
“At the same time, a check on 168 motorcyclists and their pillion riders saw 21 K257 summonses (given on the spot) issued,” he said.
ACP Mohd Zaidi said such operations would be held from time to time to ensure that all road users, including motorcyclists, abide by traffic rules.
