Wednesday October 18, 2006
CPO: Hard to prosecute Mat Rempit
By SIRA HABIBU
IT is difficult to charge illegal racers in court because the existing laws focus on proof, Kedah police chief SAC (I) Datuk Mohd Zuber Shariff said.
He said that to effectively put an end to the Mat Rempit (daredevil motorcycle riders) menace, the law had to be amended so that it was not centred solely on the burden of proof.
“How do we prove in court that a person was riding recklessly?
“We need photographic evidence. Otherwise the suspect will contest the charge,” he said
SAC (I) Zuber said this after breaking fast with Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharom at the Kubang Pasu district police headquarters on Saturday night.
He also said the law against snatch theft should be reviewed, as the penalties did not serve as a deterrent.
“We need to impose stiffer pe-nalty to check habitual snatch thieves.
“We have come across cases of snatch thieves doing it again and again after serving jail terms,” he added.
Mohd Johari said the ministry was in the process of making draft amendments to the laws to empower authorities to confiscate motorcycles or suspend licences of those involved in illegal racing and endangering public safety.
“The proposal will be submitted to the Attorney General for further review,” he said.
Mohd Johari said parents and non-governmental organisations should also play a greater role in helping to control Mat Rempit.
He chided parents who allowed their children to ride motor- cycles without licence, adding that parents who suspect their children were involved in illegal racing should impose a curfew on them.
“In Tanjung Sepat, Selangor, an illegal motorcycle rider who had no licence panicked when he saw a roadblock. In his haste to escape the roadblock he knocked into something and died on the spot. He was not wearing a helmet.
“There is also a need to re- view the law to take action against parents or guardians who allow their children to handle motor vehicles without licence,” he said.
News Poll
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Chin Peng apologises for death of innocents
- Girl and stepmum held over bid to kill first wife
- Biggest karaoke session a blast
- New evidence on MCA snoop squad case arrives at doorstep
- Victim’s dad nabs kidnapper
- Teoh’s body exhumed for second autopsy today
- Teoh's second autopsy started at noon
- Foreigner falls to her death from condominium
- Malaysians must get regular dental checks
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Chin Peng apologises for death of innocents
- Malaysians must get regular dental checks
- No licence to try offenders
- Big impact in ‘small’ man’s win
- New evidence on MCA snoop squad case arrives at doorstep
- Weapons drawn for new battle
- Johor set to be a medical hub
- Joy for 2,500 housebuyers as SPNB takes over project
- More Indonesian maids by year end?
RSS
