PUTRAJAYA’S decision to impose heavier fines on those involved in illegal racing is a good start but more needs to be done, an expert said.

Once the amendments are made, there must be effective enforcement so it does not turn into another gimmick, he added.

Professor Law Teik Hua, head of Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Road Safety Research Centre said there were still a lot of improvements that needed to be done in the amendment.

“Amending the law is a good thing, but many more details need to be ironed out first,” Law told The Malaysian Insight.

“Firstly, the authorities have to clearly define what constitutes an illegal racer.

“If I’m riding alone on my bike above 120 km/h, is this considered illegal racing? If I’m charged over this offence, which provision would it come under?

“What about spectators? Will they also be charged? What if I accidentally walk into an illegal race taking place, am I supposed to leave immediately?” Law asked.

If the government also plans to penalise motorbike modification workshops, then they should define what is illegal, he said.

“Otherwise, they will put the owners of the workshops in a dilemma.”

The Transport Ministry plans to amend section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987 to impose heavier penalties against those involved in illegal racing.

Its secretary-general, Isham Ishak, said the heavier penalties would see the minimum fine raised from RM300 to a more effective deterrent, possibly between RM5,000 and RM10,000, as well as a jail sentence for the offender.

Isham said the amendments would also enable action to be taken against workshops modifying motorcycles used by mat rempit.

He said action would also be taken against parents who allowed their children under 18 to join illegal racing while spectators and supporters of illegal races would also face the law.

This latest amendment would be the third after changes were made to regulate e-hailing riders and impose heavier penalties for drink-driving.

Isham said the amendment would be tabled in the first Dewan Rakyat sitting next year and that a task force would be set up to look into the matter.

Law said that once the law was tabled, MPs would be able to ask more questions.

“If it’s a gimmick and it’s passed, it wouldn’t do anything, just like the amendment to make backseat passengers wear seatbelts.

“The amendment shouldn’t be rushed. Illegal racing has been a problem for around 40 years.”

Law said making laws stricter is not always a solution.

Meanwhile, Chen Kim Hock, president of the Johor Motorcycle Merchants Association, said his organisation did not condone modification of bikes.

“As dealers, we are not allowed to do so. But there are many illegal modification shops in Johor,” Chen said.

“They usually charge in the thousands for these modifications but the racers are not perturbed by it.”

Chen said even with the government planning on building racing circuits around the country, it wouldn’t stop illegal racers.

“Some may go to the circuits, but it will be hard to stop them from racing on the road as it is their habit.”

The Malaysian Insight paid a Friday night visit to Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur as it was a regular spot for illegal racers.

With National Day celebrations just round the corner, large parts of the square had been closed off to traffic and police were present.

This, however, did not stop a group of 20 illegal racers from congregating at an eatery near Jalan Raja Laut. When approached, they refused to comment.

The group waited for the right opportunity to start their race, which was past midnight, when the area was no longer closed off. – August 25, 2022.