"... don’t crucify all bikers ..." -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah
SIBU: The public here have reacted differently to a call for the government to ban full-face crash helmets with tinted visors.
Hulu Rajang MP Wilsom Ugak had earlier said the ban would bring down crimes such as armed robberies, murders and even snatching cases where perpetrators used such helmets.
Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye is fully in favour of the call in the interest of crime prevention.
“I hope the Transport Ministry and Home Ministry could look into the proposal rationally. They can view this from the perspective of crime prevention and easily identifying the culprits.
“They can make decisions to ban only those with heavily tinted visor because they are very often used by criminals to carry out crimes,” Lee told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.
Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, however, begged to differ as bikers riding long distance required such helmet to protect them from the glare of the sun as well as reflections from the mirrors.
“The issue that needs to be seen is that… are the crimes committed by those on bikes mostly done by those using heavily tinted visors?
“If it is not, then don’t crucify all bikers by banning the usage of that type of helmet,” Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development, said.
“It is just like suggesting all shotguns be banned from private individuals as there are some instances of their being used for crime and murders.
“What needs to be done is for the police and relevant authorities to buck up and ensure criminals are not roaming the streets,” he stated.
The police, judiciary and KDN (Ministry of Home Affairs) had a big role to play in ensuring this is happening as well as the public, he said.
Banning this and that, he figured, was akin to taking an easy way out.
He further reckoned that Ugak might have an oversight as there is a law in existence banning the usage of fully tinted cars and helmets on the road.
He noted except for cars, the authorities were quite flexible on bikers with full face tinted visors and this was understandable.
Meanwhile, Ugak reportedly said he would bring up the matter in the next parliamentary sitting.
To this, Abdul Karim said: “So, as a biker myself and having fully tinted visor when riding, I definitely am against any suggestion of this nature from anyone, who does not feel how the bikers feel when riding.
“Why not suggest to the government to ban samurai swords and ‘parang ilang’ as this weapon has been much used for many crimes in Sarawak apart from it being used for farming,” he reasoned.
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