Mat Rempit - An excellent idea to eradicate the menace

An article in The Star on 8^th May 2009, said the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, was keen on the idea of setting up rehabilitation centers for illegal racers, instead of merely punishing them. This is indeed an excellent idea. We know that the Mat Rempits are merely youngsters, and punishing them physically or sending them to jail will only make them feel more outcasted from society, and when they were put back into the main stream, they might have a tendency to act in an anti establishment manner. Many times, violence begets violence.

The honorable IGP had also said, “Discipline must be instilled in youngsters and the responsibility lies with the families, the parents, relatives and siblings”. Yes, he hit it right on the head. The police were and are, not responsible for instilling discipline to youngsters. The responsibility lies with the families and friends, and also to a large extent to the schools. The police can only serve out punishments.

In the same article, Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat seem to have said, regarding convicted snatch thieves and Mat Rempits, “These people are getting out of hand. They should be caned or punished in painful ways so that they can be taught a lesson”. Here, I beg to differ a little. Mat Rempits should not be bunched together with the snatch thieves, even though there might be one or two cases of Mat Rempits being involved in those despicable crimes. Snatch thieves are not all teenagers or youths. There are adults involved.

We must also think of the agony the families of the convicted youths go through with the thought of their offsprings undergoing severe punishments, due to their own failure in leading their loved ones to the rightful path.

But the honorable Menteri Besar’s reasoning that the younger generation was getting involved in unhealthy activities because they lacked Islamic knowledge and were idling too much, is very true. Rehabilitation centers do instill religious values, among other programs. It is very apt to send the wayward Mat Rempits to rehabilitation centers, as well as do community services. But do not let the snatch thieves go off easily. Let them undergo real deterrent punishments.

To the non-Malaysian readers, 'Mat Rempits' are those teenagers who race their motorbikes on public roads, often doing dangerous stunts, like lifting front wheels  off the road, disregarding the danger they pose to the other road users.