Programme to rehabilitate Mat Rempit

The Government will embark on a new programme to rehabilitate illegal motorcyle racers or Mat Rempit to turn them into useful members of society instead of simply meting out punishment against them, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Najib said the pilot project to be launched next January as part of the Permata Negara programme.

He said the Government decided to use the softer approach after finding that putting the youths behind bars for “minor offences” had the potential of making the problem worse.

The aim is to find ways to rehabilitate them so they can become useful and successful members of the public.

The programme will focus on helping the Rempits improve their abilities in terms of leadership skills, social interaction, self-empowerment.

SOURCE: The Star

****************************************

I talk to various people at the coffeeshop and there were many suggestions on how to improve and utilise the energies of the Rempits, such as:

(1) Train them and elect them to be traffic policemen

(2) Train them to be bank managers or cashiers.

(3) Train them to be Formula 1 drivers so that they can form the team to manage 1Malaysia Formula 1 Lotus Team

(4) Appoint them as head of Rela so that they can volunteer their energy to reduce crime

(5) Train them to be "Rossi" and get Fernandes to form a Motorcycle Racing Team to take part in World GP races.

(6) Appoint them as voluntary officers to assist MACC and the High Courts as these departments are short of staff.

(7) Assign them to JKR to supervise the projects.

Someone even suggested to appoint them as senators but I think they are not ready for such tasks.

MAS & Rempits affected by fuel

On 15th April 2008, MAS Chairman Datuk Dr Munir Majid said MAS has hedge some 40% of its 2008 fuel requirements at US$89 a barrel.

Dr Munir also said MAS had also entered into some hedging contracts at US$95 per barrel for 2009 fuel requirements.

At that time the crude oil price was at US$112 a barrel.

Today, it is reported that MAS has raised its fuel surcharges on international travel by as much as 80 per cent with effect from June 27 to offset record jet fuel prices.

The national carrier said in a statement it is raising its one-way fuel surcharge on short-haul flights (under three hours) by 25 per cent to 67 per cent and medium-haul flights (up to six hours) by 28 per cent to 50 per cent.

For instance, fuel surcharge on the Kuala Lumpur-Sydney flight will rise from RM422 to RM608 each way. The fuel surcharge on one-way tickets from London to Sydney via Kuala Lumpur has increased by 46 per cent from RM773 to RM1,131.

In an open letter to the general public yesterday, MAS managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Idris Jala said it has no choice but to pass on the cost of fuel to consumers.

Jet fuel price has increased by 80 per cent since last year from an average of US$90 (RM293) per barrel to US$166 (RM541) per barrel.

"Put bluntly, if these adjustments don't take place - and quickly - the airline industry will collapse and have a ripple effect throughout the entire world economy," Idris jala said.

How is it that MAS which had hedge it's fuel at US$89 a barrel for 2008 and at US$95 a barrel for 2009 is affected by the rising fuel prices? Is this opportunism or is it to help MAS & Idris Jala to boost its profit margin for the year 2008 so as to prove that the MAS turnaround management had done a great job?

Malaysian Boleh-type of managers do depend greatly on such methods to derive profit to boost the corporations bottom-line and to show that they are great managers.

Maybe, Proton, TNB, Telekom, Khazanah and all the other GLCs can also make their profit reports better by taxing the people by another 200%; if not 400%.

Mat Rempit affected by fuel hikes

The government can use the good reason that the current fuel price increase of 78sens have effectively reduce the number of Mat Rempits.

Umno Putera had being applying all kinds of methods and ways to rebuilt the image of the Mat Rempits but the result of their affirmative actions were miserable and failed miserably.

However, the fuel hike appears to be excellently effective.

Maybe, the govt could consider eradicating the Mat Rempits by a further increase of another RM1 a litre and make it RM3.70 a litre.

Read the Rempit story here.

[Updated] Year 2008 Good News: Chua a National Hero

UPDATE: More Good News

Afternoon News

I am the one in the sex DVD, says Chua Soi Lek.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek admitted he is the politician in the sex DVDs circulating in Johor.

Dr Chua said the girl is his “personal friend”.

Dr Chua said he will not resign over the sex DVDs. He will leave that up to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to decide.

“I have seen the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and I have personally apologised to them,” he said.

The wife of Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek in a statement Tuesday said that she stands by her husband.

Datin Seri Wong Sek Hin said, “My husband had apologised to me and the family.

“It is a difficult time for all of us but we have accepted his regret and apology.

“He has been a good husband, father and family man who has never shirked his responsibilities.

“We know that it will be difficult during this time but we will go through this together as a family and will support him.”

He should be forgiven because he's a Health Minister, and a Health Minister must sacrifice himself to carry out some biological test to determine the functional capabilities of certain organs, in particular, those organs that often malfunction when we get older. In fact Dr Chua had proven he can still use it strenuously for about 100 minutes without assistance and enhancement from any aphrodisiac drugs or support from additional crew members. And we must also appreciate the girl who is willing to be a guinea pig for the test. The test results could not be published currently as scientific evidence is insufficient and more test is needed. In fact Dr Chua is also inviting more participants, particularly from those political leaders in MCA and Barisan Nasional, to confirm the test results and provide humanity with a better solution to overcome dysfunctional organs of old guys. This way, it will prove that BN representatives truly sacrifice themselves for the rakyat and we need to vote for him for another term. Malaysia Boleh and Singapore Ministers Tak Boleh. [end of update for today; tomorrow more good news]

Morning News

Today is the 1st day of 2008. Happy New Year!

So, Bloggers must start the day with only good news, Chinese say, "lai lai se se", "tai kat tai lei", which means good luck and good fortune.

So, I too must obey this rule of nature.

News No.1: Samy Vellu Pledge to uplift Indian living standards.

Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said his new year resolution is to uplift the standard of living in the Indian community.

"As MIC President, I will strive to create more opportunities in education, employment, economy, business, housing, health and assistance to the Indian Community through the normal system of discussions with the government." "The system had been successful ... but there is still more to be done." This is Samy's mission statement, goals and objectives for 2008.

Now, the Indian community can rejoice, for finally, after 25 years as President of MIC, Samy had discovered what he can do for the Indians. He is now enlightened; he discovered Nirvana, and he now shout Eureka!

Samy said his objective is to seek assistance from the normal system via discussions with governing body, of which Samy said, had been successful so far, but, of which more can be done.

25 years was a good experience, and enough time had lapse for the learning and ultimately discovery of the plights. It had been successful, as claimed by Samy, but of which more can be done. How true! The Indian now seems to have hope, a hope they had been hoping, and a hope that is now revived, a hope that had made them so successful thus far, and a hope that more can be done, with a hope that it will still be done by the normal system, a system where we can only seek goodwill consideration, graciousness and less suppression and oppression, and the fundamental of giving us back a little of our rights which are rightly embedded in the Constitution. There's Hope!

News No.2: Mat Rempit ride into new careers.

The 2nd Chance Programme is the brainchild of Putera UMNO initiated by its chairman Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim 2 years ago, and funded by the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry. It provides free education, free working opportunities, and free meals.

The programme offered 10 technical modules, including automotive, hotel management and use of CCTV and the special skills of videotaping, wood carving, nursing, paramedic and computers. All the participants need not have any basic academic qualifications as they would still be granted a degree of sort upon compulsory graduation as none will be failed to motivate the rempits to participate.

In the coming years, the programme will include training the rempits to become ministers and state assemblymen, and possibly someday, one of them can be the prime minister.

Form observation of the social environment, the programme had been very successful as there are now less damages and less violence. Now we hear less of rempits causing road troubles in the day time and less stoning the police and JPJ. It fact the percentage had drop by at least 2% of crimes over the last 2 years, a sign of significant achievement from this rempit retraining programmes. Police statistics from 2003 to October 2007 showed only 2,837 illegal racers arrested under S.42(1) Road Transport Act 1987. This is significantly low in direct comparison to those illegal demonstrators arrested by the police.

News No.3: Sex DVD given free

To commemorate the new year, Johoreans were treated to a rare gift, a pair of sex DVD starring a prominent MCA senior politician and a woman engaging in various sexual antics. The direct beneficiaries of this gifts are citizens in Tangkak, Batu Pahat and Muar. Soon,this free gifts will also benefit the indirect citizens.

The DVD recordings are done with the use of CCTV in a hotel suite and the movie is 56 minutes for the 1st disk and 44 minutes for the 2nd disk. I'm not sure whether it will be made available at the YouTube but it is available at the friendly VCD vendors. It is rumored that the politician would soon be approached by Hollywood and Mollywood for a role in a new movie that had yet to be scripted and the fees offered is said to be very lucrative. It was overheard that the various film directors were simply amazed by the ability to perform 100 minutes of sexual antics by two individuals without any supporting casts and technical crews.


More good news tomorrow.

Rempits in Cars, too!

Canadian consultant attacked by Mat Rempit

Manjit Sokhal from Montreal, a Canadian consultant on a job assignment here was attacked by a group of Mat Rempit attacked him along Jalan Rasah on Saturday night.

Manjit Sokhal was driving his four-wheel drive at about 11pm with three friends from India when a car suddenly pulled up in front.

Some 40 Mat Rempit on motorcycles then surrounded his vehicle.

“When I wound down my window to inquire, one of them punched me. He also hit my face with a helmet,” said Manjit Singh.

Manjit Singh said the Mat Rempit then went on to damage his vehicle’s rear lights, wipers and number plates.

Manjit Singh said the rempits warned him to be careful as he was a foreigner.

What prompted the rempit attack could be due to his slow speed of 40kph.

If you drive fast, you are in trouble with the law enforcers; if you drive slow, you will be in trouble with the lawless enforcers.

So, in Malaysia, we feared the law enforcers but we feared more of the lawless enforcers who are UMNOputera members. they are a protected species by the corridors of power.

Yesterday I was driving. At a junction I turn left, amid slowly. Suddenly a car surged in front of me and forced me to brake abruptly. I guess this driver was upset that I had turn onto the road in front of him and could have obstructed his smooth journey. But he was some 40-50ft away from the junction and it is definitely reasonable to get out of the junction. The problem could be the fact that I drove very slow after leaving the junction.

That driver didn't just do it once, he purposely brake in a sudden for a number of times to provoke me to a fight. I didn't want any trouble. I just kept my cool. I tried drive much slower behind him so that a few cars would overtake me. You know what? He slowed down to let those cars to pass him and make sure I am right behind him and then he suddenly brakes to cause me to swerve. He kept doing it until we reach a V-junction. I drove till the tip of the junction with his car about 10ft in front of my car, then I swerve to the left road so that I don't have to drive behind him and that it would be difficult for him to reverse his car to tail me and harass me.

This is not the first time I had this problem... there are so many instances.

So we don't only have rempits in bikes; we also have rempits in cars and often, big and luxurious cars.

Has Malaysia become so uncivilized and unsafe? In Kuala Lumpur, it surely is. You don't have to cause problem to be involved with one. You just need to drive slowly, and you'll be in trouble.

This is what NST reported today at page 2, Prime News:

Abdullah: BN is success story of all Malaysians.

It's true!

Mat Rempit Tales (Part 1)

Many of my readers and friends had asked me to write about the menace of Mat Rempit.

What I will do is to post the write-up of those victims who had sent their stories to me.

This one below was sent to me by a reader called Hann. Read on...

I would like to relate an incident which happened to me regarding these mat rempits. 2 weeks ago, I was driving down Jalan Sultan Ismail (KL), when a white Satria cut into my lane and I ended up clipping him from behind. The accident was very minor and we both pulled over to settle. Less than a minute later, mat rempits had arrived from behind me and surrounded my vehicle. They robbed me of my money, watch, phone and sunglasses, then beat me with helmets when I refused to hand over my credit cards! I believe that they were simply looking for an excuse to beat on a lone Chinese guy. Fortunately I was able to escape and run to Sheraton Imperial Hotel, where security kept them out and called the cops. By then my head was bleeding and I was bruised all over.

When the police arrived and I related my incident, they were honest with me; there was no point in making a report as nothing would come of it. I made a report anyway. The police were right. Even though I had managed to spot the licence no of one of the bikes, it turned out to be a fake plate. An “investigation” is underway to determine if the Satria was involved in the robbery, but I’m not getting my hopes up.

After reading many blogsites on the mat rempit problem, it seems to me that my story is not an uncommon one. None of us victims ever receive justice, and that the mat rempits usually get away scot-free, ready to commit more assaults, robberies or rapes.

The question I want to ask is, why is it that our society cannot effectively punish and control these criminals? I have heard excuses such as:

• “our police force is too undermanned to catch the mat rempits, who far outnumber cops and are unafraid of them”;

• “even if the police catch these mat rempits, there is no effective (legal) way of punishing them, since they do not fear jail”;
• “UMNO Youth (Khairy Jamaluddin) is protecting them and using them as political leverage”.

And so on. I’m not sure how many of these excuses are valid. There have been calls to beef up out police force, or to destroy any motorbikes found to have been used in a crime. What I do know, is that not enough is being done to keep our society safe. This problem first surfaced in the late ‘90s, and it seems to have gotten worse. If the mat rempits know that the police are afraid of them, and the government is protecting them, can u blame them for getting bolder and bolder??

Like all those who hate these mat rempits, there is nothing I would love more than to run them over in my vehicle. However, is this really the best way to fight them? Would it deter them from committing crime, or make them more violent? Does anyone have a feasible long-term suggestion for eradicating these people from our streets? How do we make this problem a priority for our government?

I will be posting this blog on several sites, and will also write in to several newspapers calling for feasible suggestions to this problem. I am ashamed to admit that before this happened to me, I merely read the stories, and while resenting the mat rempits for what they did, I did not feel a need to take any action myself. I hope that all of you who have not yet become a victim do not make the same mistake. Imagine how bad this problem could get if left unchecked. How far will you let it go before you decide to take action yourself? When you yourself have been robbed and beaten? When your wife or daughter has been raped and murdered?

I hope that all of you who have taken the time to read my post, take more time to consider the situation and respond to it. If all of us band together and take action, maybe we will be able to wipe these criminals from our streets by next year.

Previous post: Mat Rempit - Asset or Menace?

Mat Rempit - an indisciplined bunch of youths?

In the 400-strong audience which include students, trainees with the National Youth Vocational Institutes and members of Putera Umno, incoming Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said it was time society helped police tackle illegal racing.

"It is natural for teenagers to have the ‘adventurous’ spirit , but when their actions endanger other road users, it is time to act.

"To me, these Mat Rempit are an indisciplined bunch of youths who do not hesitate to ram into officers at roadblocks to escape punishment, creating a lawless situation," he said.

"I would like to remind them that they are committing several offences at the same time, such as driving under the influence of drugs, and driving in a manner that endangers road users. If found guilty, they could be severely punished.

"The police are willing to reach out to these youths with help and advice," said Musa.

"Illegal street races give the impression of lawlessness in the country and can affect inbound tourism," said Tan Sri Musa Hassan.

"Foreign visitors could get the impression that Malaysian roads were unsafe and spread this message to others abroad."

The number of illegal racers arrested has been growing steadily.

In the first five months of the year, 918 arrests were made, compared with 162 in 2001.

How would Putera UMNO, Datuk Azeez & Khairy respond to Musa's statement?

Mat Rempit - Asset or Menace?

15 Mat Rempit suspects were remanded by police after one of them allegedly hit a man on the forehead with a helmet following an accident where the victim’s car accidently grazed one of the Rempit’s motorcycle yesterday at Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil, Ipoh at 5am yesterday.

READ EXCERPTS OF THIS ARTICLE:

Mat Rempit re-branding futile

Comment by Rohaizad A. Rahim

... early Wednesday morning, a group of young motorcyclists went on a rampage in Jalan Medang Serai, Bangsar, smashing windscreens of vehicles just because a resident shouted at them for making noise. Don't blame the resident for yelling at them - it was 5am!

So, how does Putera Umno think that the image of these Mat Rempit can be redeemed? Going by the most recent incident, it is unlikely that people will lend support to those they perceive to be the scourge of society.

Azeez thinks he can, and plans to start by organising a carnival in November in an attempt to re-brand them from Mat Rempit to Mat Cemerlang. The movement also plans to organise the Mat Rempit into clubs and have their activities regulated.

It is hoped the movement will do its homework before being overwhelmed by the task they have set upon themselves.

Point number one - these Mat Rempit, or illegal street racers, get their enthusiasm fuelled by defying authority. After all, why should so many of them gather in the wee hours of the morning (the gatherings are already illegal) and race among themselves on public roads, which is also against the law.

Secondly, the police, by way of Kuala Lumpur Traffic Operation and Enforcement chief DSP Tan Hiap Seng, had defined Mat Rempit as young motorcyclists showing off their riding skills and endangering themselves and others in the process.

Who among us do not view Mat Rempit and other illegal racers on four wheels as a threat to our well being? Especially when we see a motorcyclist barrelling down the wrong way on a busy street just to escape the law.

Putera Umno's argument that it is difficult to stop the Mat Rempit from pursuing their interests needs clarification, especially when it is an established fact that their interest is racing on public roads, which is against the law.

Another point that requires clarification is the analogy used - if you can't beat them, join them - is way off mark.

There is also the point about things to be learnt from this group, such as their camaraderie. Yes, they have strong bonding among them, as residents in Jalan Medang Serai found out when vehicles were smashed for yelling to pipe down during the wee hours of the morning.

... to legalise such races is tantamount to encouraging youths to risk life and limb for the sake of being a jaguh kampung.

Getting them organised into clubs is a good idea but how do you regulate illegal activities? Mat Rempit do it for fame, money, drugs and girls - can society afford this?

Paradigm shift to Crony Culture & Mad Rempit Culture

Information Minister, Datuk Zainuddin Maidin, popularly called Zam said “The Malays thrive under the crony system and the transfer of power and administration essentially means the transfer of cronies.

“There were cronies during the era of Tun (former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) too, so the weaknesses of the Malays during the present administration should not be exposed for all to see.

“Buat apalah pemimpin-pemimpin nak buka pekong di dada (Why should the leaders expose each other’s weaknesses). This is not a healthy exercise,” he said yesterday.

Zainuddin said abuse of power and misappropriation of funds were bound to happen under the crony system.

“This cannot be denied. And the Prime Minister is trying his best to rectify the situation his way. Tun should let PM (Abdullah) do it his way,” he said.

Zainuddin said Dr Mahathir’s attacks against Abdullah would only benefit Pak Lah as he would gain more support and empathy from the rakyat.

He said Abdullah, who has been in office for only two years, should be given a fair chance to run his administration.

I NEVER believed it!!!

I don't know whether my Malay buddies and friends and those that I don't know, who called themselves Malays, will believe this shit.

"Malay" thrives on Crony system? Is it true, my dear Malay friends and citizens?

Without crony system, Malay "akan hilang dari dunia ini?

OMG!!!! I can't believe it... it came from the mouth of UMNO information secretary and also Malaysia's Cabinet Minister.

How would foreigners take this piece of news? How would they look at the Malays? This statement connotes that Malays cannot, and can never, thrives on meritocracy and hardwork...

Ali Babaism is here to stay. APs are here to stay. Handout cultures are to be calcified and entrenched into our constitution so that the Malays will be clutched and armed-chaired driven.

I hope Dr. Bakri Musa and his cohort Din Merican and the many Malay intellectuals can enlighten us. Is Khairy an Intellectual? I don't know now because he will be joining the Mat Rempit. I hope Mahathir can also enlighten us on this "New Paradigm".

Does Pak Lah have the ability to also enlighten us, since his son-in-law will be joining the Mat Rempit which will be re-branded and officiated by him?

Let's hear what the Deputy Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak, had to say:

Stop handout culture if you want community to excel, Najib says

The Malays have to stop the hulur (handout) culture if they want their community to be one that is excellent and respectable, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

If those who practise such culture become leaders in the party, it would lead to a weak Umno, Najib told delegates at the Ledang Umno division meeting here yesterday.

Najib said this in reference to a popular notion that a way to lobby for support is to give below-the-counter payments.

“The hulur culture, as a means to lobby for favours, will not help the Malays become an excellent community,” said Najib.

“Times have changed. Wealth and riches no longer come with having land grants,” Najib told Muar Umno at their delegates conference.

Citing Bill Gates as an example, Najib said he became the world’s richest man and powerful because of technology.

“He is so powerful that he can invite the president of China to visit his house in the United States.

“He uses his brain and mind to develop the information technology needed for the computer system,” he added.

Najib said education was important and the Malays should continue their quest for greater knowledge, including in technology.

“We in Umno cannot just shout the words Hidup Melayu or Hidup Umno to become strong as they are only slogans.” Ya, Najib, and wielding the keris is another slogan. Are you refering to Hishamuddin and Khairy, directly?

Najib said Umno did not struggle for the Malays to become Mat Rempit (illegal street racers) or to have HIV but to excel in politics, economy, education and other fields.

Najib said due importance to knowledge and technology would make the Malays a successful and powerful race.

Oh, by the way, did you mention Mat Rempit? I think Howsy the Ranter wrote something about this. And UMNO Putera also spoke about this.

UMNO Putera Chairman, Datuk Abdul Azeez said that Illegal motorcycle riders or "Mat Rempit" will be rebranded by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at an assembly in the Bukit Jalil National Stadium this November.

He said the rebranding of Mat Rempit was to change the illegal race participants' image towards something better, and "we are thinking of a suitable name like Mat Cemerlang (Excellent Mat)."

Abdul Azeez said several things that could be learnt from these illegal riders were their strong camaraderie and a large membership of at least 5,000 riders despite being an unregistered illegal club.

"Due to this strong bond, 30 Mat Rempit will beat us if we "cause trouble" with its members," Azeez said.

"We could not stop them to continue with their [illegal] interests but we can guide them (by following them) to find a direction," Azeez said.

Abdul Azeez said they should not be perceived as a threat, adding that, "If we cannot stop them, we join them."

Abdul Azeez said this Aug 26, he and Umno Youth Vice Chief Khairy Jamaluddin would come down to the ground on their motorcycles to meet the Mat Rempit.

Oh shit! Illegal race riders will be legalised and promoted and rebranded to be called Mat Cemerlang. Oh my god, is this the Malaysia we were?

Now, UMNO, UMNO Youth, and UMNO Putera, Pak Lah, Khairy, and Azeez, are endorsingto legalise illegal racing...

and, if you find trouble with those racers, such as, obstructing their racing on the street and highways, taking away your girlfriends and childrens for a race-ride, overtaking them, or, riding next to them, and if anyone of the Rempit don't like you, 30 of them will beat you up (Azeez connoted). And Azeez said, we can do nothing? Does he mean that our law enforcers can't do anything? The police can't do anything if Rempit beat up a member of the public? Does Azeez mean to tell us, we got to bow to these Mad Rempit? Oh my God, Azeez is UMNO Putera Chairman and a Muslim. Is he guided by the Holy Quran or did he read the wrong "Book of Knowledge"?

Azeez said these Mat Rempit could actually be assets in building Malaysia if they were given the chance.

Oh ya, Azeez, UMNO should make them ministers and Prime Ministers of Malaysia ... then, there will no more be corruption and crime because these traits would have been legalised and entrenched within a new Rempit Constitution of Malaysia.

Oh my god, the whole nation, led by UMNO and UMNo Youth, worse off, with UMNO Putera "guiding principles", will be driven to the dogs ... anarchy will rule the coming years and we all must join them ... as Azeez preached (because we can't stop the Rempit, we become Rempits too).