In Kota Kinabalu, a weekend crackdown on illegal motorcycle racing caused chaos as hundreds of “mat rempit” riders hurried to flee when the police raided their “racing circuit” on Jalan UMS. The operation, known as “Ops Samseng Jalanan,” took place from 9pm on Saturday to 5.30am the following day.
Kota Kinabalu police chief Asst Comm Mohd Zaidi Abdullah reported that the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department successfully captured 111 motorcycles that were left behind by their owners during the raid. In addition, two riders were arrested for performing hazardous stunts.
Police with motorcycles that were abandoned by the roadside.
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According to ACP Mohd Zaidi, the detained suspects were 18 and 21 years old, with one lacking a motorcycle license. Another 19-year-old rider was apprehended for possessing a counterfeit number plate and not having a valid license.
The police chief explained that 108 out of the 111 motorcycles were impounded under Section 64(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for owner identification purposes. Two motorcycles were seized for illegal racing investigations under Section 81(3) of the Road Transport Act, and one was impounded for using a fake number plate under Section 108(3)(f).
Traffic police personnel with one of the motorcycles abandoned by a suspected mat rempit.
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For the 108 impounded motorcycles, summonses will be issued to the riders or owners when they claim their vehicles at the city police headquarters. Additionally, out of the 168 motorcyclists and passengers checked, 21 K257 summonses were issued on the spot.
ACP Mohd Zaidi emphasized that such operations will be conducted regularly to ensure that all road users, including motorcyclists, comply with traffic regulations.
