The Authorities' New Way Of Catching Mat Rempits Is Actually Pretty Genius

Well, if you are wondering why the authorities are not doing anything more to stop the menace - like, crush their vehicles in front of them like how our counterparts from Australia do it - the answer is, they can't.

A loophole in the Road Transport Act 1987 allowed these mat rempits to reclaim their modified bikes after they are charged or fined.

Well, those days will soon be over.

Instead of reviewing the Road Transport Act 1987, the authorities are reportedly trying to catch the mat rempits using another different law: the Environmental Quality Act 1974.

How, you ask? Well, by fining them for noise pollution.

Federal Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department's deputy director, Superintendent Mustafa Bakri Salleh, told The New Straits Times' Faisal Asyraf and Hani Shamira in an exclusive interview that they'll be working closely with the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to bring the annoying mat rempits to book.

Mustafa told the daily that the Department would carry out checks on errand motorcyclists' bikes during special roadblocks, especially zeroing in on modified exhaust pipes that induce loud noises.

These exhaust pipes, something they apparently can't live without, would give the impression that their machines were powerful, said Mustafa.

According to Mustafa, anything that emits noise above 75dB (decibel) is considered “pollution” and therefore, punishable by law.

During these special roadblocks, Mustafa told the NST that a special technical team would tag along and perform on-the-spot tests for action under Section 23 of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.

Those who are found guilty under this act can be slapped with a maximum jail term of five years or a fine of RM10,000, or both.