The Mat Rempits

In Malaysia, we have this new problem of youths who hold illegal racing along our highways and main roads. In the beginning it was all about racing at odd hours, but now they have gone on a crime spree. They are no more the helpless and less fortunate young people that many 'bleeding hearts' have made them out to be in the papers. They are a serious threat to the peace and security of the nation.

The gang rape of a 13-year-old girl and two robberies reported in Bukit Mertajam on Sunday morning are believed to have been committed by members of the Mat Rempit gang. The state police chief of Penang, Deputy Comm Datuk Koh Hong Sun said the incidents occurred within an hour of the George Town police chasing away 600 motorcyclists who had gathered in Gurney Drive. He said, “Some of them could have separated from the main group and embarked on a crime spree. Other than the three cases, they also smashed a car windscreen and sprayed foam from a fire extinguisher into the vehicle. We have not ruled out the possibility that the group could also be behind the stoning and throwing of firecrackers into a police station in Kubang Semang on Oct 15." These people are not afraid of the law or of anybody else.

I was told by a friend that one of the tactics used by these 'renegade bikers' is to place all their helmets on the road. When any car travelling along that stretch comes across these helmets, they ofcourse will stop their cars. These thugs will rush out and smash the windscreen and spray gas at the occupants and then rob them of their valuables after beating them up.

These are the same people whom the UMNO was trying to recruit as UMNOputeras. No wonder they are so arrogant. They think they have the backing of the major component of the ruling party. The government needs a rethink of their social concern activities. It is good to help children who have gone wayward through no fault of their own. They need guidance and maybe financial help to get an education to better themselves. This is not the case here. These people have money to buy motorbikes and to fiddle with them to get more power and speed for racing. Now they have turned to crime. The police have to come down hard on them and restore peace and order in this country.

The tourism industry is not the only thing at stake here. Our own safety which should be the major issue is also at stake.