‘Build racing track to stop illegal races’

 July 5, 2012

SIBU: Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has suggested that a special racing track be built here to get youths away from illegal races.

He was asked on ways to reduce illegal racing among youths yesterday.

However, he said the move would not solve the problem completely.

This is because he believes that when they mature and shoulder more responsibilities, the urge to ‘rempit’ or race on public roads would gradually fizzle out.

“Youths being youths need some avenues to ‘release’ their ‘excess energy’ and many have resorted to illegal racing. A way out would be to prepare a special track for them but even that will not solve the problem.

“A lot of the youths ‘rempit’ or race on public roads just for the thrill of it. But once they reach a certain age where they carry more responsibilities like being a father, family man or when they start working, and have responsibilities to carry, they will slowly phase out that ‘rempit’ life,” the Assistant Minister of Youth Development told The Borneo Post through SMS.

Last Sunday, Sibu police chief ACP Shafie Ismail warned that they would soon mount a full scale operation to shackle illegal racing.

The police chief said they had identified three locations used by ‘Mat Rempit’ for their dangerous acts; namely Pedada Road, Wong King Huo Road and Awang Ramli Amit Road.

Shafie also warned parents not to allow their underage children to ride motorcycles, more so without a licence.

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, reckoned having more avenues or facilities such as a skateboarding park would also help youths use their energy positively.

On more sporting activities such as cub prix sanctioned by Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) where young riders race in a proper venue, he said this would be handy to discourage youths from being swayed into illegal racing.

Earlier, Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee, who also shared the same opinion as Karim, assured that he would follow up on the request made by Sibu Extreme Club for the construction of a skateboard park.

“I am going to discuss with Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) for the location and with the Ministry of Social Development pertaining to the request by Sibu Extreme Club for such facility here,” Dr Annuar said.