KUALA LUMPUR: Amendments to the Road Transport Act 1977 (Act 333) for clearer provisions to curb street racing are being finalised, according to Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah.
He said these amendments would cover careless and dangerous use of the roads, as well as illegal racing.
“The government is studying the need to tighten existing laws to introduce harsher penalties for dangerous and illegal racing.
“The draft Bill for the amendment of Act 333 has been brought to the Attorney General’s Chambers,” he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
He added that such a measure was taken to ensure that the penalty imposed would serve as a deterrent.
Hasbi said the ministry has also taken other measures to contain the mat rempit menace.
He said the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and police are constantly working with other enforcement agencies to carry out measures, such as the Ops Samseng Jalanan, as well as social media and awareness campaigns.
He said JPJ will also work with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to curb the sale of motorcycles that have been illegally modified and do not comply with requirements.
“The vehicles seized as a result of illegal racing and extreme modification will also be disposed of.
“Disposing of modified vehicles will be a lesson for motorbike users. This is because some mat rempit are not worried when their vehicles are seized as they know the seized items would be returned,” he said.
In responding to a question from Pang Hok Liong (PH-Labis) on the most effective measures to curb mat rempit stunts, which also endangers other road users, Hasbi said the authorities would continue to carry out enforcement operations on the illegal activity.
Illegal racing has become rampant and increasingly concerning, as the participants are getting younger and involving school students.
In September, 69 students were among 135 people rounded up in a street racing operation in Ipoh, Perak.
Those arrested included minors as young as 12 years old and 22 Form Five students.
A total of 160 summonses were issued for offences including riding without a licence, illegal modification of vehicles, expired licences, fancy registration plates and not wearing helmets.
