Most motorists polled by Malaysiakini do not agree with the proposed plan to ban ‘kapcai’ motorcycles from entering downtown Kuala Lumpur, especially motorcycle users from the lower-income group who commute to the capital city daily.

One of those who questioned the ban proposed by Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor is Ahmad Fadli Nazari, 34, from Damansara, who works with a government-linked company.

“First of all, the ban, even if it is at a proposal stage, actually goes against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s pledge to always listen to the pulse of the people.

“For example, if it (the ban) is imposed, should despatch workers who deliver documents from an office here (in KL) to another one outside the city centre, use the LRT to deliver the documents entrusted to them?” asked Ahmad Fadli.

This, he stressed, will cause hardships to the lower income groups, far be it from the government listening to their needs.

“This proposal will make it difficult for the bottom 40 percent (B40) and middle 40 percent (M40) to do their jobs,” he told Malaysiakini.

On Monday, Tengku Adnan said that smaller capacity engined motorcycles in the 50 to 150cc range, commonly referred to as 'kapcai', may be banned from entering downtown Kuala Lumpur, as part of planned measures to reduce carbon emissions, as was done in cities elsewhere.

However, he said, the ban would only be enforced if public transport fares are at reasonable levels.

Commenting further, Ahmad Fadli said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) should take more proactive steps in reducing carbon emissions.

For instance, it could charge a carbon emissions tax on large-capacity engined cars that enter Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle area, said Ahmad Fadli, who has been riding a kapcai in the capital for 10 years, in order to cope with the increasingly busy city.

He also slammed the view that restricting the entry of the kapcai would also prevent snatch thefts.

“Linking the restriction on the entry of kapcai with reducing snatch thefts is a dangerous stereotype perpetuated by the political elite against the lower classes. The minister should be smarter and should not come out with such statement,” he said.

‘Don’t cars cause more pollution?’

Mechanic Abdul Rahman Zainuddin, 25, from Puchong, said that economic uncertainties in the country and abroad made him wonder if the minister knew what he was talking about.

For Abdul Rahman, the ban proposal would only add to the burdens already borne by the rakyat.

“What is being proposed will cause hardship and burden the people, and I oppose it totally.

“Most people today are struggling and would not be able to do as the minister asks and buy a superbike, especially in the present economic situation. We can’t afford it.

“Don’t tell me that the people must get a superbike just to get into the city? All while trying to find money to survive?” asked Abdul Rahman.

He added that the idea makes no sense, for while every vehicle with an engine emits carbon, the level emitted is determined by whether it is a two-stroke or four-stroke engine.

“If it is a two-stroke engine, of course, it emits thick smoke which causes pollution, but there is none with four-stroke engines, which most cars and motorcycle use.

“So I think it is improper to ban kapcai from entering Kuala Lumpur. If they want to reduce (carbon emissions) they have to tell motorcycle factories to cease production of two-stroke engined motorcycles. Easy enough,” said Abdul Rahman.

Another fellow kapcai rider, Rajan Simatram, 55 (photo), said that while he owns a car, he still prefers riding his motorcycle as it was more convenient and he could avoid the city’s high parking charges.

“Don’t burden the lower income group. People who are affluent and have plenty of money they can come into Kuala Lumpur and park their cars anywhere.

“I have two cars but I choose not to drive into Kuala Lumpur as the roads are so congested, everyday, that it stresses me out, what more with the high parking fees,” Rajan said.

He said that the government should look to more proactive measures instead of imposing bans.

‘Not all kapcai riders are bad’

For student Mohd Farizuan Kamalulail, 23 (photo), from Banting, the kapcai is cost-effective and helps to alleviate his cost of living.

“The country’s (uncertain) economy is becoming a burden for the rakyat.

“A kapcai saves fuel and allows us to evade traffic congestion to arrive at our workplace or go to classes. We can also only afford kapcai and the minister’s proposal will make it difficult for us.

“In any case, not only the kapcai emit carbon. Other vehicles do, too. Why not ban them all?” asked Mohd Farizuan.

Commenting on the issue of snatch thefts, he argued that not all kapcai riders are irresponsible persons who do such things.

“Not all kapcai users are snatch thieves or mat rempit (illegal racers). Most of us just want a convenient way to meet our transportation needs.

“What more with rising oil prices,” stressed Mohd Farizuan.

He argued that it is not fair to just blame kapcai owners when even some high-powered motorcycle owners are involved in criminal activities.

“Like in snatch theft cases, it is best for them to use superbikes as they are faster in case they are chased by cops. Kapcai users, like us, no matter how you run, the police can easily catch us.

“Don’t just blame us kapcai owners,” Mohd Farizuan added.

Look abroad

However one motorist, businessperson Ahmad Zaidi Masri from Kuala Lumpur, agrees with the proposed kapcai ban.

“It’s a good idea, firstly because you never see snatch thieves ride a Harley Davidson, and they (kapcai riders) are dangerous, I nearly ran into one mat rempit who tried to overtake me from the left side,” Ahmad Zaidi (photo) said.

He said the presence of kapcai also soils the image of the city.

“It’s unsightly, (we must impose the ban) if we want to be like Tokyo, Hong Kong, or even Singapore,” sniped Ahmad Zaidi.

However, he admitted that when it comes to health, the ones that mainly pollute Kuala Lumpur air are the many cars that packed the city streets.

“Everybody wants to drive their own car. All want to be comfortable. 

“Maybe the minister needs to find an alternative for the car owners,” he said.