Street racing may lead to gambling and continued racing outside of the track, says former KL police chief

PH01_110109_MAT_REMPIT

Former KL police chief, Datuk Dell Akbar Khan Hyder Khan is of the opinion that should street racing be permitted in Kuala Lumpur, a rise in gambling may be a consequence. Moreover, illegal street racing might continue even though the Mat Rempit are given a proper track to race on, The Star reports.

He explained that one thing may lead to another, starting with the Mat Rempit modifying their motorcycles. “You will then have the involvement of workshop operators, who will act as the racer’s ‘sponsors’ and this might lead to illegal betting,” he said. He noted that such an outcome might not happen, but is a possibility.

He also feels that it is impractical to close off city roads for racing, urging for authorities to look seriously into matters such as safety of spectators and riders as well as insurance coverage. Speaking of his past experience as deputy traffic police chief, he said that in the 80s, he had rounded up illegal racers, and later allowing them to race on the Shah Alam Racing circuit.

Unfortunately, the plan was abandoned just after two races. “We saw them racing on the way to the circuit and back home,” he noted. “The Federal Territories Minister has also got to look at how they disperse if they attend a sanctioned race. They might race in the public areas again,” Dell Akbar stated.

Meanwhile, Two Wheel Motor Racing promotions director Ron Hogg, feels that the safety of the public is the bigger issue at hand – should there be racing in the city. As organisers of the Malaysia Cub Prix Championship, he explained, “when we organise the Cub Prix, we close the road. The safety measures that have to be taken are immense.”

“For a 1 km track, we need more than 20 trailers filled with safety equipment to close the track,” Hogg revealed, adding that the riders, who are professionals are always properly geared for such events. Hogg suggested that it would be better to have smaller circuits around the country instead, if the government is looking to hold street races.

On the other hand, Musashi Boon Siew Honda team manager, Zulhelmi Ahmad feels that it would be better if a permanent course is created. As the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) is the only place available to race, Zulhelmi said that it is too expensive, too far from KL and that there are limited time slots to race.

“For me, Mat Rempit are only using small bikes, not superbikes. They just want to ride with more speed and they don’t have a place where they can show their potential,” he said. Zulhelmi however, doesn’t think that gambling would be an issue. “I don’t think they want to gamble so much, they just want a place to enjoy riding,” he concluded.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Graham Chin

Having spent a number of years as a journalist for a local paper, a marketing executive for a popular German automotive brand and a copywriter, Graham, a true-blue Sarawakian, knew he had to take the leap back into the motoring scene - and so he did. To him, nothing’s better than cruising for hours along a scenic route, in a car that’s designed and built for that purpose.

 

Comments

  • Any sports also leads to gambling. Football, legal race, cricket, NFL, rugby, horse racing, you name it.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
    • hahaha on Mar 04, 2016 at 6:01 pm

      those boys on the motorcycles in the picture looks so stupid.

      wonder if they actually know that.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Proposal for Minister Ku Nan on Mar 04, 2016 at 1:43 pm

    Cannot believe this dude. With 90% of rakyat opposed to this idea, he still goes on with it. Do you even have a brain? why waste energy, media and meetings and our tax payers money even to brain storm the idea?

    Why don’t you legalise rape also in KL? Have a couple of blow up dolls, so that, the potential rapist can go and attack the dolls and rape it. This will let them release steam. This will prevent actual rapes from happening.
    Or put a couple of handbags with manneuquins all round KL. Let the Mat Rempit go and snatch the handbags. Hopefully, this will lessen real snatch cases.

    I am shocked at this senior Minister.

    Can I suggest this. Close the road that leads to your house or the PM’s house. Ask this people to rempit on these two roads.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 2
  • LatukBandar on Mar 04, 2016 at 2:05 pm

    In view of Ku Nan’s brilliant idea, why not legalize corruption, prostitution, gambling, robbing, and etc…. oh wait…

    It is the thrill of breaking the law that these mat rempits are into, punishing or allowing them to continue breaking the law is not the solution. The solution is educating them what is right or wrong, some are beyond redemption thus prison is the answer or until they break their legs in these activities.

    Only 3 things can change a person – Love, Death, Religion. Until they experience one of these, nothing will stop Mat Superman.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • SoFarSoFail on Mar 04, 2016 at 2:56 pm

    At last, someone with a brain!

    Give this man a cookie.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
  • shawal on Mar 04, 2016 at 3:00 pm

    Jabba needs to see PVS – permanent vegetative state patients for himself before further deciding on this matter, ex-rempits who are now in PVS state are a burden to their caregivers whereby they are the ones who should be taking care of their ageing parents…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Wan Syaiful on Mar 05, 2016 at 6:49 pm

    Tangkap masuk jel je malaun2 ni. Menyusahkan org. Hope diorg eksiden and mampus terus

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Micah on Apr 27, 2016 at 9:59 am

    Therefore the utmost you ought to fill up on would-be about
    six months, although possibly that is very large.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required