Small Rise In Penalties Won T End Mat Rempit Menace Says Guan Eng

---

 
DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng ridiculed the transport ministry’s proposal to charge motorcyclists arrested for illegal racing higher premiums, saying many Mat Rempit are not even insured. (File pic)PETALING JAYA: DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng has slammed the transport ministry for its “small increase” in penalties for Mat Rempit, saying it did not match that for drink driving.
Lim claimed that it would not be a deterrent to illegal racing.
He also asked transport minister Wee Ka Siong to explain why the punishment for drunk drivers who caused deaths was double the punishment for Mat Rempit who caused deaths.
“There will be no deterrence to illegal racing unless the penalties are equal to those imposed for drink driving,” he said in a statement.
-ADVERTISEMENT-Ads by 
Lim also criticised the ministry’s proposal for insurers to charge motorcyclists arrested for illegal racing higher premiums, saying this would likely be ineffective as many Mat Rempit were not even insured.
Yesterday, transport ministry secretary-general Isham Ishak said the government was proposing stiffer penalties for Mat Rempit under the Road Transport Act 1987 in a bid to curb the menace.
This includes increasing the minimum and maximum fine to RM5,000 and RM10,000, respectively, for those caught taking part in illegal races.
Currently, offenders can be fined up to RM300 only.
Isham said the ministry was also looking into getting insurers to charge higher premiums for motorcyclists arrested for illegal racing.
The proposed amendment, which will be tabled in Parliament next year, also seeks to punish parents who allow their children under 18 to take part in races. - FMT

---