By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 12: Residents of Jalan Astana here are calling for intervention from the local authorities to crack down on ‘mat rempit’ activities happening in the area.
On July 10, a post was made by an individual on behalf of Jalan Astana residents on the Sarawak Roads Update Facebook page, claiming that the disturbance caused by ‘mat rempit’ and street hooligans in the area has become increasingly severe, particularly between midnight and 4am.
“These activities not only generate deafening noise from motorcycle engines and dangerous stunts but also disturb the peace of residents in the surrounding area.
“Our neighbourhood includes elderly residents in poor health and young children who require adequate rest. However, the chaotic and noisy street hooligan activities in our residential area have seriously affected the overall quality of life for everyone here,” said the post.
Accompanying the post was a video depicting a large group of motorcyclists gathering and riding noisily along Jalan Astana, with some performing dangerous stunts.
In response, Kuching district police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the force detected the video on July 11 and reiterated its serious views on the matter.
He said that the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division of the Kuching District Police Headquarters (IPD) has been actively conducting intelligence-gathering, surveillance, and enforcement operations aimed at curbing such activities.
“Between January and July 11 this year, nine local males aged between 15 and 20 years old were arrested under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless or dangerous driving that endangered other road users.
“In addition, 75 motorcycles were seized under Section 60 of the Road Transport Act 1987 for non-compliance with specifications, particularly for using modified exhausts that produce excessive noise.
“In these street hooligan operations, 948 individuals and 746 motorcycles were inspected, resulting in the issuance of 1,230 summonses for various offences,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, in an operation carried out at Jalan Astana, seven individuals were arrested under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, leading to the seizure of 63 motorcycles under the same Act, and the issuance of 1,161 summonses for various offences.
The police urge the public to cooperate by channelling any information related to ‘mat rempit’ activities to DSP Jo Hang, Head of the Kuching IPD Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division, at 019-8660066. — DayakDaily
