The Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights and Good Governance has received a complaint from the latest victim of Mat Rempits — Manjit Sokhai, 43, a Canadian consultant from Montreal who comes to Malaysia three to four times a year in connection with his work.
Manjit was driving his four-wheel drive along Jalan Rasah, Seremban at about 11pm on Saturday Oct 20, with three friends from India when he was confronted by some 40 Mat Rempits on motorcycles, who assaulted him and went on to damage his vehicle, smashing the rear lights, wipers and number plate.
Manjit is here and he will give you his traumatic encounter with the Mat Rempits.
Mat Rempits going on a rampage, causing harm to innocent people and property, has become too common an occurrence.
These were some of the reports in the mass media in the past two months on Mat Rempit rampage and violence in the country:
1. Merdeka celebrations took a nasty turn at Dataran Hadhari, Teluk Batik, Perak early 1st September 2007 when some Mat Rempits reacted violently against the police by wrecking one patrol car and breaking the rear window of another. This happened at 1.30am when a police inspector tried to detain a man, sparking angry protests from more than 100 Mat Rempits, who surrounded the police car, kicked its doors and ripped off the radio antenna. The police officer escaped unharmed.
2. A senior citizen, Yusoff Abdullah, 69, was knocked and killed by a Mat Rempit in Pasir Tumboh, Kota Bharu early morning on 8th September. The Mat Rempit who hit Yusoff, Ahmad Fuad Ariffin, 19 also died on the spot.
3. Two Mat Rempits who were not happy with police having a road block attacked Merbok Police Station in Sungai Petani with petrol bombs at about 1am, 27th August 2007. Nobody was injured.
4. A group of ten Mat Rempits turned violent and attacked a police car and a few policemen in Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur, a Mat Rempit favourite spot early on the night of 30th September 2007. When they were blocked by the traffic police, they turned violent and attacked the police before leaving.
5. Mohd Fairus Abdul Aziz, 21, a restaurant worker was killed after he fell from his motorcycle in Jalan Tun Razak near the US Embassy where he was surrounded and kicked by five Mat Rempits at about 5:40 am on 11th October 2007. Fairus was about to send her girl friend home after work when he was surrounded by the Mat Rempits who wanted to take her girl friend away.
6. Wan Asmadi Wan Ahmad, 36, a senior officer from Road Transport Department Enforcement Unit was hit by a Mat Rempit in an Ops Sikap XIII operation in Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, Ipoh at about 10:15 pm on 21st October 2007. His legs were broken and he suffered serious head injuries.
These are some of the reported cases, which is only the tip of the iceberg of the fear they created among the peace-loving and law-abiding Malaysians, as well as visitors with their lawlessness and contempt for the rights and safety of others.
It is deplorable that the Mat Rempit menace has been allowed to continue without a political will to resolve it, further aggravated by the patronage which some influential personalities in power have accorded to Mat Rempits for their own political agenda.
The culture of contempt for the law and impunity for the lawlessness of Mat Rempits have gone on for too long and the Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights and Good Governance calls on the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who is also Internal Security Minister, to give his personal attention to wipe out the Mat Rempit menace subverting law and order, creating fear among Malaysians and visitors about their personal safety and giving the country a bad name internationally.
The Prime Minister must be reminded that a national situation where Mat Rempit lawlessness and violence are rife and rampant is not only a threat to the safety and security of Malaysian citizens, but would drive away investors, tourists and foreign students.
How can the government expect to succeed in making Malaysia an investment centre, a tourist haven or an international hub of academic excellence to attract foreign students when the government is incapable performing its most fundamental duty — to ensure the personal safety and security of its citizens and visitors?
(Media Conference Statement in Parliament on Wednesday, 24th October 2007)
#1 by justice_fighter on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 12:24 am
Mat Rempit and lawlessness is the culture of UMNO, not to be surprised.
#2 by takazawa on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 12:28 am
Guys, it’s time to have some humour here after being so worked up over the whole issue which would only make our blood pressure shoot up. Below is a link to a very hilarious article on Mat Rempits though I have to admit that it’s pretty seditious. Enjoy reading. :-D
http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Mat_Rempit
#3 by chaiong on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 1:25 am
My dear takazawa, You are really great! After reading the Mat Rempit history, I really laugh, HA HA HA! I am even proud of our MAT REMPITS , only in Bolehland! To KJ, you keep on recruiting monkeys to be you running dogs! If I really see a group of MR, I will knock them down if they ever try to harm my family!
#4 by takazawa on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 1:51 am
“We don’t need a change in Govt. We need a stronger opposition. We need to send a message to the powers that be that we will not accept second class status for our children.†Colin Nathan
Perhaps Colin meant that we don’t need a change in government “for the time being” since Malaysians at large are not prepared for it yet? To expect the opposition to become the ruling coalition after the next GE would be too far fetched. At most, we can only expect to deprive BN of their 2/3 majority. In order to achieve that, this would mean at least 35% of the voters must vote for the opposition. Even if all the Chinese (25% of the voting population) and Indians (7%) voters vote for the opposition, if would only amount to 32% which still falls short of 3%. The remaining 3% has to come from either Malay or Indigenous votes or both, which is feasible. The bulk of the 3% votes would go to PAS and Keadilan.
Not to be too wishy washy, however, my prediction of the next GE outcome is, at least half of the Chinese voters going for BN (13%) and more than half of the Indian voters going for BN (5%). As for Malay voters (60% of the voting population), 90% of them would go for BN (54%), while 10% of them would go for PAS and Keadilan. Hence, BN’s mandate would be at least 54+13+5 = 72%, which is far better than the last GE outcome of 92% mandate! It’s a difference of 20%.
Anyway, this is just my 2 cents’ worth. Feel free to differ from me.
#5 by takazawa on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 2:05 am
To add on, it’s a difference of 20% although we don’t get to deny BN of 2/3 majority.
I think there’s no need to knock them down lah, just encourage them to do the “Deadman and Spiderman” methods is already good enough. This would at least reduce their population without having to be accountable for it. :-D
#6 by disapointed86 on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 2:23 am
We don’t need a change in Govt. We need a stronger opposition. We need to send a message to the powers that be that we will not accept second class status for our children.
Colin Nathan
No matter how strong is the opposition..the government will just ignore it or doing some investigation on some issue raised by the opposition.. in the end.. lack of prove or never end investigate..somehow i feel that 50 years merdeka is just a spirit slowly fade generation after generation..i wonder what would happen if we are under the British administration? will they be still racism in our comunity? will they be still anymore sleeping minister in our country? how i wish 1 day the current government colapse..i believe each of us wants a better future for our children..we want a better life where there is no racist in every field of aspect..no NEP..no corruption…..someday someday
#7 by takazawa on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 2:23 am
Here’s an interesting excerpt from http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Malaysia
“Mat Rempit – Pseudo-professional motocycle stuntmen, soon to be dead. Only Malays can apply. Becoming a Mat Rempit is a guarantor of a good future, with the backup support from the government agency call Putera Tak Senonoh Umno. You only need to do stupid motorcycle stunts on your motorbike on a public road to attract more tourists for Year Visit Malaysia 2007. If you don’t have money to spend, become a part-time snatch thief or robber. Getting arrested is a definite occupational hazard, but don’t worry – just use bribe the Police and everything will be settled.”
#8 by undergrad2 on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 4:19 am
Add to the above.
To qualify you must show proof that you’re brain damaged or alternatively show that you have the same IQ as Minister in PM’s Department and must not know your left from your right. As for your motorcycle, if you cannot afford one, one will be given to you -that applies also to your state appointed lawyer in case you are detained for riding somebody’s motorcycle without lights and without number plates.
If you are unfortunate enough to have to appear before a magistrate within 48 hours of your detention, make sure you have ready, used bank notes in an envelope to pass to the court clerk. Make sure the court clerk counts all RM5,000.00 in your presence or else he might pocket some. Don’t try and cheat by using old Japanese banana notes that belonged to your grandfather. It pays to be honest.
Any special skills in the use of explosives would be an advantage.
#9 by sotong on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 7:28 am
They are the real marginalised people of failed NEP policies and bad leadership.
I feel sorry for them being grossly exploited and used by unscrupulous politicians for personal, narrow and damaging political objectives.
#10 by k1980 on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 8:54 am
PeePeePee’s revenge on Mat Ali?
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=19732
PPP president M. Kayveas declined comment, merely saying he has informed Abdullah of Mohd Ali’s remarks.
#11 by Godfather on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 10:22 am
Let’s create a new corridor for the mat rempits. After all, the Sleepy Head is now known as the father of all Corridors….
#12 by RealWorld on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 11:11 am
Just got back from a short trip to Auckland, NZ. My apartment there is now up for rent as my previous tenant of 10 years relocated. Spent two days supervising the cleaners and handing the property over to a property management company. Need to find a new tenant soon or else no income!
So, whats up with you lot in the Opposition? Ranting about the Mat Rempits now, eh?
#13 by RealWorld on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 11:12 am
“Let’s create a new corridor for the mat rempits. After all, the Sleepy Head is now known as the father of all Corridors….” – Godfather
Yo man, long time didnt hear.
So, how do you think this so called problem be managed?
#14 by Godfather on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 12:58 pm
Yo RealWorld, the NEP beneficiary, holidays in NZ, London, Johannesburg, Perth, where else ? Life is good, eh ? Hve you tried driving early hours in the morning along Semantan, Maarof and Raja Laut ? Try it. Humbling experience after the “first class” holidays. Try to taste the real world, man…
#15 by Godfather on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 1:01 pm
Good that you have properties outside of Bolehland. After all, if you should ever get into a dispute or trouble in Bolehland, you may not be able to trust the police, or the AG’s Chambers or the courts, to protect your rights. You might have to pay to protect your basic rights in Bolehland – something which is alien in New Zealand I guess….
#16 by AntiRacialDiscrimination on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 1:18 pm
The only solution is through education. Educate them BEFORE they become Mat Rempits.
But how are we going to tell them to behave nicely if our Education Minister is behaving like a terrorist?
If you compare the picture of our Education Minister brandishing his weapon while shouting hysterically in UMNO assembly with the picture of real terrorist brandishing his weapon while shouting ‘God is Great’, their gestures are quite similar. Even my neighbour’s four years old son has spotted the similarity.
Luckily we still haven’t produced any young terrorist from our schools now.
#17 by Godfather on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 1:34 pm
One of the solutions is to stop treating them like heroes. Treat them like the criminals that they are – breaking the law. Stop those picture shoots between Putera UMNO and these criminals – but this is a tall order given the “samseng” and publicity seeking nature of people like Azeez Rahman.
#18 by RealWorld on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 1:36 pm
Hey yo Godfather, I dont drive along Semantan, Maarof or Raja Laut during the early hours cos I be asleep by then. I dont fancy late nights i.e. head banging away to some loud techno music. :) Such activities may be the ‘real world’ to you but not me.
NEP beneficiary?? Well, if this can help you to console yourself, I be happy for you.
#19 by RealWorld on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 1:42 pm
“Good that you have properties outside of Bolehland. After all, if you should ever get into a dispute or trouble in Bolehland, you may not be able to trust the police, or the AG’s Chambers or the courts, to protect your rights. You might have to pay to protect your basic rights in Bolehland – something which is alien in New Zealand I guess….” – Godfather
Godfather,
When has it become a crime to own properties outside Malaysia (Bolehland to you)?
Are you saying all is well and dandy in NZ? Hmmm … what about em’ Maoris? I wonder what happened to all their lands and all? Human rights and all, you know.
#20 by RealWorld on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 1:43 pm
“Stop those picture shoots between Putera UMNO and these criminals” – Godfather
Please then suggest how then?
#21 by mendela on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 2:08 pm
I am absolutely agree that the only effective way to turn away the MRs when threaten by them is to knock them down and drive away immediately!
All people must practice this and after a few rounds of such “defensive” tactic and a few dead MRs, all the Mat Rempits will disappear from Malaysia roads!
I ain’t a violent man, but I hope MR will come disturb me, and I am always ready to hit and run! I need to set example and teach all these bastard a good lesson!
#22 by Godfather on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 3:01 pm
When did I say that it is a crime to own property overseas ? All I said is “good for you” like your leader’s assets in Perth and elsewhere. If some of us have the means, we would also like to own properties in London, Perth, Sydney, Singapore, Jakarta, etc. Most of these places are not plagued by mat rempits. Most of these places don’t have leaders that worship lawbreakers as assets to the ruling party.
#23 by Godfather on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 3:20 pm
The years of driving a Bentley with dark sunglasses have made people like RealWorld really thick in the head. I advise him to stop the photoshoots between Putera UMNO and the mat rempits, and RealWorld asks me “how then?”. I guess it is the same response given by the fearless UMNO leaders to genuine questions posed by the public.
#24 by sotong on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 3:42 pm
They are grossly neglected and misguided individuals. They are challenging the ” authority” and the environment they are made to strictly conform to and trying very hard to find meaning in life.
With proper guidance and support, they will become good, productive and responsible people…..the buck stops with the leader/s – in family and community.
#25 by cheeyong on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 3:45 pm
RealWorld how do you feel with having Mat Rempit in Msia? Maybe they can be a good mascot for Visit Msia……vroooom….. :)
Mat Rempit most if not all I can see are also NEP beggars as well. Wow amazing. While honest hardworking Msian citizen like for instance Mr Kumar needs to work hard to service their home loan payments, another Mat Rempit already get a good headstart by getting a 7% discount when buying a home…….
#26 by Jimm on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 4:30 pm
Lowerly mindset family upbringing batch of Ketuanan that still like to feel and seen like they are ‘powerful and creative’ individuals.
#27 by TheWrathOfGrapes on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 4:32 pm
/// Libra2 Says:
October 24th, 2007 at 12: 29.31
I wonder why, when we have so many solveable problems left unsolved, judiciary rotting away, unabated police corruption and abuse, and the entire government machinery in mayhem, we are trying to venture into space!!!!! ///
You already have the answer. Precisely because there are so many problems, you need to send someone to space to distract attention.
#28 by Jimm on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 4:35 pm
Creativities coming from only able to own a motorcycle of a lower capacitiy. Turning this ‘disappointment’ to a more self-satisfy ego by their skill in handling the machine.
Anyway, these MRs grew up by watching from Mike Doohan and Eddie Lawson era right up to Valentino Rossi time …
Malaysia Boleh
#29 by Jimm on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 4:36 pm
We also have KAPCHAI racing series all year round in various states to promote this sport.
#30 by cheeyong on Thursday, 25 October 2007 - 4:49 pm
I watched this documentary on Korea’s “version” of Mat Rempit. Their antics was caught on camera. Although Msia is nowhere near South Korea in economic sense, nevertheless Msia Mat Rempit beat them hands down when it comes to their daredevil moves hahahaha……vrooom……….
#31 by RealWorld on Friday, 26 October 2007 - 9:24 am
Godfather, dude
What has BN leaders got to do with me owning a foreign property or properties?? Or travelling aboard for holidays etc?
You mean those in the Opposition or supported/voted for the Opposition dont own any property/ties overseas? Or dont get to travel aboard for their holidays??
Are you on some kinda medication of late?
And is it a crime to have photoshoots between Putera UMNO with those who owned a certain class of motorbikes?? Is owning a kapchai for example a crime? You mean Putera UMNO by taking photos with those kapchai owners to you is promoting “Mat Rempits”? Are you saying one by virtue of owning a kapchai is a Mat Rempit!!??
What is me owning a Bentley gotta do with this? Did I borrowed your daddy’s money to buy that Bentley?
Dude, looking more like a bitter mong.
#32 by RealWorld on Friday, 26 October 2007 - 9:56 am
“RealWorld how do you feel with having Mat Rempit in Msia?” – cheeyong
My brother, cheeyong!
Ok, how do I feel? For those who caused chaos and violence on the streets (they could be on kap chais, BMWs, Proton Satrias, Mercedes Benzs, Harleys or even Bentleys) I think the law should come down hard on these people. I do not limit road rage to the so-called Mat Rempits or those on the motor bikes only.
As for your claim that the Mat Rempits get a 7% discount when they purchase a home, I have an issue here. Firstly, you are generalizing that all Mat Rempits are malays/bumiputras. What happened to your claim that you are ‘colour-blind’?? Or are you actually a chameleon instead? Secondly, these Mat Rempits are in the low income bracket (I have yet to see a lawyer racing around KL at night in his kap chai), and I dont think they can even afford to purchase a home, despite the 7% thingy.
#33 by Jimm on Friday, 26 October 2007 - 10:05 am
There are absolute nothing wrong in owning a property anywhere in this world and definitely nothing wrong in owning a kapchai. All these materialistic properties are there to serve their own purposes and functions.
Owning a kapchai when the owner are using this to his or her serving purposes to do things of good like a means of transportation and the early part of their life journey to learn how to handle their properties and keep them in good functioning purposes.
However, using these as a form of racing machines or dare devil stunts whereby public safety are at stakes , do you think that we are getting things into prospective for the good of this nation?
Today, as for most of us here, non of us are ‘involved’ in any closed incidents with MRs nor is any of our family members.. thank GOD for that.
We must remember that these does not meant that we are truly safe as things are improvely bad by days and you will never know what is next or who is next …
As Malaysian, we should voiced out this concern.
#34 by Godfather on Friday, 26 October 2007 - 10:28 am
Hey RealWorld, my respect for your understanding of the English language has just taken a nosedive. Show me where I said that it is wrong to own properties overseas. Show me where I said that your ownership of properties overseas is simply due to BN. Don’t praise BN that much. Some people own properties overseas or go on holidays overseas IN SPITE of BN. Some people get to the top IN SPITE of BN. Do you understand what I mean ?
#35 by Godfather on Friday, 26 October 2007 - 10:49 am
Or maybe I should repeat to you what your UMNO master shoot-from-the-hip Nazri Aziz said recently – BODOH ! BODOH ! BODOH !
#36 by cheeyong on Friday, 26 October 2007 - 11:17 am
Kesian juga RealWorld mat rempit ni. Not enough $$ buy house, thats why taking it out on the streets. Now u so rich, give back some to society la.
I am colour blind. But despite wearing helmets and many encounters so far I had with them, everyone can see who they belong too. Thats why I said NEP is not good. Makes alot of those receivers become alpa and lupa diri.
NEP should be replaced with a better plan.
Wow RealWorld you know these mat rempit from low income bracket group kah? Itu pun u tau. hebat…..
#37 by RealWorld on Friday, 26 October 2007 - 11:20 am
Godfather,
You seem fascinated with that Bodoh thingy, eh? I can see you glowing in it. But I guess for someone who thinks that photoshoots between Putera UMNO and Malaysians with motorbikes is promoting road menace, I shouldnt be surprised eh.
And talking about understanding of the English language, your insults on Islam Hadhari is pretty clear.
Yes, some infact many many people own properties overseas and take numerous holidays in spite of BN. Good! No crime at all. Very good indeed. I am happy for such successful Malaysians.
… but there are some who are just bitter.
#38 by Godfather on Friday, 26 October 2007 - 11:23 am
Yes, I have insulted the self-proclaimed Imam of Islam Hadhari – as a liar and a hypocrite. Unfortunately, he happens to be your master. Once a poodle, always a poodle.
CEMERLANG, GEMILANG, TEMBERANG – the slogan of UMNO.
#39 by RealWorld on Friday, 26 October 2007 - 11:33 am
cheeyong, my brother, how do you know I dont give back to society?? Are you some fortune teller or some sort of a medium?
Dude, dude, lets not go and make assumptions here and there la. Discuss with some maturity la, ok? I mean, for example I will never say that you are an in-breed, i.e. that your mom married her brother and they had you, unless I have the facts and proof. I dont do assumptions ok.
And your “Now u so rich” thingy …. no need to resort to such talk la. Childish and no class la.
“But despite wearing helmets and many encounters so far I had with them, everyone can see who they belong too” …. you are generalizing again. And when one generalize, they then to be prejudice. For example, I see in pasar malam, those who sell pirated dvds are chinese. Based on your conclusion, can I conclude that the chinese are into illegal businesses??
Are you saying that these Mat Rempits are from the upper income bracket??
#40 by RealWorld on Friday, 26 October 2007 - 11:39 am
“Yes, I have insulted the self-proclaimed Imam of Islam Hadhari – as a liar and a hypocrite. Unfortunately, he happens to be your master. Once a poodle, always a poodle.” – Godfather
No, you said that Islam Hadhari is about protecting the corrupt etc. You specifically targeted Islam Hadhari, not the ‘self-proclaimed Imam’. Dont try to lie your way out.
Poodle?? Dude, you called yourself a Rottweiler. You likened yourself to a dog. I did not. And since, you like to be a dog. Go fetch my slippers boy. :)
#41 by RealWorld on Friday, 26 October 2007 - 11:40 am
“CEMERLANG, GEMILANG, TEMBERANG – the slogan of UMNO.” = Godfather
Nothing new eh? Petty insults and name calling gonna bring in the votes?
#42 by Godfather on Friday, 26 October 2007 - 2:00 pm
“We are not in the business of cheating the people.” Imam of Islam Hadhari. Somehow he is not embarrassed by making this patently untrue statement, but his supporters like FakeWorld are also no embarrassed at all. I guess the skin on thieves are really thick.
We will see if making false statements and fake slogans can bring in the votes. Or maybe that’s the reason why UMNO has brought in “Goebbels” Zainuddeen Maideen.
#43 by cheeyong on Friday, 26 October 2007 - 2:04 pm
What I can say is that I dont know from what income level they r from unlike you who knows. Low income konon……
Actually is true. Those bootleg sellers alot of them r Chinese. I admit. Its a common sight…….so get the 2 sniffing dogs and go and catch them lah. What are they waiting for?
Actually we chinese know since long ago that in breeding will result in a higher chance the child be deformed.
Wah puji hang kaya raya pun hang nak naik berang. Relaks lah RealWorld…….hang ni cepat melatah dan merajuk….macam budak kecik aje….
#44 by Old.observer on Friday, 26 October 2007 - 4:45 pm
“These were some of the reports in the mass media in the past two months on Mat Rempit rampage and violence in the country:
1. Merdeka celebrations took a nasty turn at Dataran Hadhari, Teluk Batik, Perak early 1st September 2007 when some Mat Rempits reacted violently against the police by wrecking one patrol car and breaking the rear window of another. This happened at 1.30am when a police inspector tried to detain a man, sparking angry protests from more than 100 Mat Rempits, who surrounded the police car, kicked its doors and ripped off the radio antenna. The police officer escaped unharmed.
2. A senior citizen, Yusoff Abdullah, 69, was knocked and killed by a Mat Rempit in Pasir Tumboh, Kota Bharu early morning on 8th September. The Mat Rempit who hit Yusoff, Ahmad Fuad Ariffin, 19 also died on the spot.
3. Two Mat Rempits who were not happy with police having a road block attacked Merbok Police Station in Sungai Petani with petrol bombs at about 1am, 27th August 2007. Nobody was injured.
4. A group of ten Mat Rempits turned violent and attacked a police car and a few policemen in Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur, a Mat Rempit favourite spot early on the night of 30th September 2007. When they were blocked by the traffic police, they turned violent and attacked the police before leaving.
5. Mohd Fairus Abdul Aziz, 21, a restaurant worker was killed after he fell from his motorcycle in Jalan Tun Razak near the US Embassy where he was surrounded and kicked by five Mat Rempits at about 5:40 am on 11th October 2007. Fairus was about to send her girl friend home after work when he was surrounded by the Mat Rempits who wanted to take her girl friend away.
6. Wan Asmadi Wan Ahmad, 36, a senior officer from Road Transport Department Enforcement Unit was hit by a Mat Rempit in an Ops Sikap XIII operation in Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, Ipoh at about 10:15 pm on 21st October 2007. His legs were broken and he suffered serious head injuries.
_________________
Excuse me.
Allow me to say that Mat Rempit should not be a racial issue, even if the newsreports were to show the offenders to have come predominantly (or even exclusively) from one race.
In fact, in ANY race, one can always find groups of saints and sinners.
What you have here is a “modus operandi” with some common attributes – uses motorcycle, complete disregard for the law, complete disregard for the personal safety and property of others, as well as the personal safety and property of oneself, etc..
Labelling these youths as Mat Rempits may be convenient and stereotyping, but these are also unique individuals with some serious social problems.
Also, the problems seem to be escallating over time.
Does the government or the PM has a cohesive and comprehensive plan to deal with the Mat Rempits? Is it right for the government to just push this problem back to the Rakyat, and say this is your responsibility? How should the country tackle this problem?
Do our neighbouring countries have similar problems, or is Mat Rempit a problem that is worse in Malaysia only? Given our nation’s aim to be a developed country by 2020, how do we compare to the more developed country such as Singapore? Does Singapore has this problem to the same extent as Malaysia (after standardizing the larger Malaysia population base)?
Should the government ignore them and hope they will dissappear? Why is it that when the law is enforced, more Mat Rempits surfaces? Or are the laws not enforced? Some of the examples given by YB clearly clearly shows complete disregard for the law, to the extent of attacking police stations! What happened to the offenders?
My personal view is that this is an escallating, serious, underlying social problem, notwitstanding the higher press coverage. The society has been left alone for decades, but the problems seem to be getting worse and worse over time. It needs some government intervention or special attention, and I certainly agree with YB that it needs the PM’s special attention. To leave the problem with the existing system alone is not enough.
Old Observer.
#45 by justiciary on Friday, 26 October 2007 - 9:50 pm
I dare to say almost all the mat rempits are from one community.The logic is simple.The non Malays generally practise family planning for both economic and social reasons.Many of the MRS are either school dropouts,unemployed or lowly paid workers.These youngsters resort to street roaming on their motorbikes late at night and also during the wee hours mainly for fun.However among them are gangsters and hooligans too.The government should come down hard on these young anti social elements before the social menace worsens.Furthermore stop associating with them and avoid promoting them as something positive.
#46 by ktteokt on Saturday, 27 October 2007 - 9:49 am
This is absolute racial discrimination! Why is no action taken against this group of “good for nothing” nuisance makers? Is it because they consist mainly of one “exclusive” race?
In fact, this has given rise to problems way before hand. I believe if it was not because this race is involved in taking “dadah”, the government might even have legalized the sale of drugs by issuing licenses.
#47 by k1980 on Saturday, 27 October 2007 - 1:25 pm
Did Hitler crack down on his Brownshirts?
#48 by Old.observer on Saturday, 27 October 2007 - 4:51 pm
“I dare to say almost all the mat rempits are from one community.” – justiciary
“This is absolute racial discrimination! Why is no action taken against this group of “good for nothing†nuisance makers? Is it because they consist mainly of one “exclusive†race?” – ktteokt
_______________
I hope you will understand what I mean when I highlight the first sentence and paragraph of both your comments.
My main point is not to make this a racial issue, since this is both your first sentence and first paragraph respectively.
Why? Imagine for a moment that you are talking to the community head, the fathers of the Mat Rempits.
And the first thing you utter is what you’ve said here.
How do you imagine will be the immediate reaction?
My fear is that it WILL become a racial issue, since you are seen to be provoking an attack on that single race.
It is much more productive to focus on BEHAVIOUR, which potentially can come from anyone from any race.
By focussing on BEHAVIOUR, we acknowledge that Mat Rempits behaviour is unacceptable, for reasons that every rational person knows to be unacceptable.
The advantage of focussing on BEHAVIOUR is that even if there is any Chinese or Indian who behaved that way, we similarly condemn that BEHAVIOUR, irrespective of race.
On the other hand, once racial issues are raised, it raises all sorts of defences which distracts the nation since we get into even bigger arguments.
As a Rakyat, all I want is for an immediate stop to that BEHAVIOUR. I don’t really care the race of the Mat Rempits. In fact, as far as I am concerned, the race can be foreigners or aliens from another planet, and it doesn’t change my opinion and beliefs. I simply want the Mat Rempit BEHAVIOUR to stop.
I hope we don’t fall into the trap of turning Mat Rempits into a racial issue, with the end result being NATO (“no action, talk only”).
Old Observer.
#49 by Old.observer on Saturday, 27 October 2007 - 4:59 pm
“Did Hitler crack down on his Brownshirts?” – k1980
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Forgive my ignorance, but are there publicly reported events in the news that give rise to the suspicion / claim that Mat Rempits are the equivalent of Brownshirts?
Would appreciate the weblinks (if any) for my personal further reading.
Thanks.
Old Observer.
#50 by justiciary on Saturday, 27 October 2007 - 10:59 pm
Hi,Old Observer.I am not racialistic but I was just stating a fact that almost all the ‘MRS’ are from one community.This ‘MRS’ problem has remained a social menace for years.I can bet if these idiots are not from one community,they will definitely not be held in high esteem by Umno and the like.Remember these gangsters were once invited by Umno youth to take part in an organised race and recently the Sports minister even proposed to have a special racing circuit for them.So do you think the authorities will condone the behaviour of the ‘MRS’ if they are from other communities? Be realistic Old Observer.