PUTRAJAYA: The Home Ministry wants to engage the mat rempit to help fight crime in the country.

Describing the idea as out-of-the-box thinking, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the ministry had asked selected non-governmental organisations and groups to enlist the bikers' co-operation in the fight against crime.

He said the negative connotations given to the mat rempit groups was sometimes unwarranted, maintaining that they too, can contribute to the country.

The 350: The national flag-bearing Rela motorcycle convoy arriving at Putrajaya from Shah Alam. — Bernama

“Just because rempit has a negative connotation does not mean that we have to neglect them. It will continue to have negative connotation if we do not engage them,” he said after receiving a Rela convoy at Parcel D here yesterday.

The 350 riders on motorcycles had travelled from Stadium Melawati in Shah Alam bearing the Jalur Gemilang, in conjunction with the 55th Independence Day.

Hishammuddin likened the general scepticism of the idea as similar to that of Rela volunteer corps at its inception stage.

“So likewise, the rempit, when they do come onboard, will be facing challenges, criticisms and cynicism from the people outside.

“But with us guiding them, I believe it can become a reality,” he said, without revealing details on how the bikers will be engaged to help in crime-fighting initiatives.

On allegations of manipulation in the crime index statistics, Hishammuddin said there would be no end to such accusations.

“The issue on the crime index has reached a stage where there are people who don't want to listen to rationale, so, whatever we say will be twisted and rejected.”

Hishammuddin also said street children proven to be Malaysian citizens, including through DNA tests, have been and will continue to be issued birth certificates.

He said the ministry, with the cooperation of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), carried out such efforts to give these children a chance for their future.

“One of the problems is that they do not have birth certificates. Without it, they cannot go to school,” he said.

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