No change in Mat Rempit plan

The Star

Putera Umno will go ahead with its series of activities for Mat Rempit (illegal motorcycle racers), including a dialogue between 200 riders and the Deputy Inspector General of Police, despite criticism against it for associating with them.

Its chief Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said the meeting with Tan Sri Musa Hassan would be held very soon in the Police Academy in Jalan Semarak.

“The dialogue will be open and they (Mat Rempits) are encouraged to ask any questions they may have. I view this as a positive sign because as far as I know, this sort of dialogue has never been done before,” he told reporters at a press conference at the Umno Youth headquarters at PWTC yesterday.

He also said the purpose of the dialogue was to forge a friendly relationship between Mat Rempits and the police.

“The ultimate goal of Putera Umno is to make Mat Rempits the eyes and ears of the police and to report on the activities of rogue Mat Rempits,” he said.

“Not all Mat Rempits are a menace to society. Mat Rempits have a bad reputation because of bad apples among them.”

He also said the other activity on the cards was a motor expedition from Kuala Lumpur to Teluk Batik, Perak, starting on Sept 9.

He added that a total of 7,000 participants, inclusive of pillion riders, were expected to take part in the two-day expedition.

“The participants will be involved in gotong-royong activities at mosques and community centres, and activities will also include a wheelie and reverse wheelie competition among the participants,” he said.

“The Mat Rempits will also contribute money to the Lebanon/Palestine fund; and this is one way towards developing positive attitudes among them.”

He said the flag-off ceremony would be held at Dataran Merdeka at 2pm and the riders were expected to reach Teluk Batik at 9pm the same day

Abdul Azeez said he would continue to reach out to the 20,000-over Mat Rempits despite the criticisms levelled at him.

He said although many did not agree with the wing’s plans to get the Mat Rempits to return to society’s mainstream, the efforts were beginning to show positive signs.

Abdul Azeez appealed to his detractors to give Putera Umno a chance to bring about changes to the mindset of the Mat Rempits, whom he said were loyal in every aspect of character although they were treated as social outcasts.

He added that he admired the solidarity among Mat Rempits and, if harnessed, they could be an asset to Putera Umno.