PETALING JAYA: A special National Service Training Programme (PLKN) course for illegal street racers, commonly known as mat rempit, could improve safety for road users.
However, experts say its effectiveness will depend on whether it brings lasting behavioural change.
Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Ng Choy Peng said the programme should be a rehabilitation platform rather than merely a form of punishment.
“It has the potential to improve safety outcomes for motorists, motorcyclists and pedestrians, provided its focus goes beyond enforcement and is directed towards sustained behavioural change,” she said.
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She said the programme’s success should be measured through a before-and-after assessment spanning at least 12 months.
“Key indicators include changes in speeding offences, helmet non-compliance, and reckless riding.
“Broader impacts can also be assessed through accident trends, insurance claim frequency and costs, as well as hospital admissions related to motorcycle crashes,” she said.
Ng said road users should have a voice in evaluating whether rehabilitation, education or enforcement works best.
“Many mat rempit-related accidents involve innocent road users.
“Surveys on perceived risk and sense of safety, combined with official crash and enforcement data, can provide a more realistic assessment of the programme’s impact,” she said.
Road Safety Marshal Club president K. Balasupramaniam welcomed the proposal, saying rehabilitation offered a positive and holistic approach.
“The benefit for the public is that we can create more disciplined road users in the future.
“But follow-up is very important. Otherwise, rehabilitation will go to waste and more government money will be spent,” said Balasupramaniam, who also called for greater transparency in funding.
“In many developed countries, these programmes are financed using funds collected from traffic offenders rather than taxpayers’ money.
“There must be transparency. Otherwise, somebody is going to make money out of it.”
He said the authorities should address the root causes of illegal racing, noting that some activities were financed by gambling syndicates and even parties within the motorcycle component industry.
“The problem cannot be solved by punishing riders alone. Parents, schools and employers all have a role to play.
“If parents knowingly allow their children to engage in illegal racing, they too should be called for counselling,” he said.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) chief executive officer Saravanan Thambirajah, however, cautioned against relying solely on a special programme.
“Fomca is not convinced that such a programme alone will solve the mat rempit problem.
“Gathering offenders together may unintentionally strengthen social networks among delinquent groups and expose them to other negative influences,” he said.
Saravanan said success should be measured through reductions in illegal racing activities, accidents, repeat offences and traffic violations.
“Rehabilitation alone is unlikely to reduce accidents unless it is accompanied by strong enforcement and accountability measures.
“Greater emphasis should also be placed on family values, parental responsibility and community involvement,” he added.
The proposal was raised by Jerantut MP Khairil Nizam Khirudin during a Dewan Rakyat sitting on Tuesday.
He suggested mat rempit offenders undergo a special course under PLKN aimed at instilling discipline and steering them away from illegal racing.
