Thumbs down to mat rempit
BY R.S.N. MURALI, HEMANANTHANI SIVANANDAM, FARIK ZOLKEPLI, NEVILLE SPYKERMAN, RAHIMY RAHIM, PATRICK LEE,HANIS ZAINAL, P. DIVAKARAN, andYVONNE T. NATHANTHE STAR
PETALING JAYA: Politicians on both sides of the divide are against the Federal Territory Ministry’s idea to close certain city roads to allow mat rempit to race.
Titiwangsa MP Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani said it was not a practical idea.
“I don’t think it is a good idea to have these mat rempit racing in the city.
“If you want to engage with them, get the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to rent a racing circuit either in Batu Tiga, Shah Alam, or Sepang,” he said.
Johari, who is also Deputy Finance Minister, said that racing threatened public security and endangered the lives of the public and that mat rempit were not professional riders.
“Besides, I do not think the insurance company will insure them,” he added.
Federal Territory MCA chief Datuk Yew Teong Look said DBKL should study the proposal in depth before making any decision.
He said both the safety of the public and mat rempit should be taken into consideration.
“Personally, I think motor racing is dangerous and should not be encouraged,” he added.
DAP Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai said he was against the proposal to protect the safety and lives of the public and mat rempit.
He added that if the proposal was allowed, DBKL needed to ensure that the streets were in good condition.
“Besides potholes, there are so many drain covers that are missing and they pose a danger too.
“Is DBKL going to upgrade all the facilities on the roads?
“The announcement proves that Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor did not do his homework or view things from wider spectrum,” he added.
Wangsa Maju PKR MP Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong said he was against the proposal.
“If they want to race, go to Sepang. That is a proper circuit,” he said.
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