Ministry set to amend Road Transport Act to combat illegal street racing

KUALA LUMPUR: The Transport Ministry is finalising amendments to the Road Transport Act 1977 (Act 333) to introduce clearer provisions aimed at curbing the mat rempit (illegal street racers) menace.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah said these amendments would address careless and dangerous riding as well as illegal racing.

"The government is studying the need to tighten existing laws to introduce harsher penalties for dangerous and illegal racing," he told the Dewan Rakyat today.

"The draft bill for the amendment of Act 333 has been brought to the Attorney General’s Chambers," he added.

This measure aims to ensure that the penalties imposed will serve as a deterrent.

Hasbi said the ministry has also carried out other measures to address the issue.

He noted that the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and police are working with other enforcement agencies to carry out several initiatives.

Among these are the Op Samseng Jalanan operations, monitoring through social media, and awareness campaigns.

JPJ will also work with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to curb the sale of non-compliant and modified motorcycles.

Vehicles seized due to illegal racing and extreme modifications will also be disposed of.

"Disposing of modified vehicles seized will be a lesson for motorbike users. This is because several mat rempits are not worried when their vehicles get seized as they know the seized items will be returned," he said.

He added that authorities will continue with enforcement activities to curb the mat rempit menace.

He was responding to a question from Pang Hok Liong (PH-Labis) on the most effective measures to curb mat rempit stunts that also endanger other road users.