PM to rebrand 'daredevil' Mat Rempit
Published: Aug 21, 2006 12:45 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will rebrand illegal motorcycle riders - popularly known as 'Mat Rempit' or 'Mat Motor' - during an assembly in the Bukit Jalil national stadium this November.
From Mat Rempit to Mat Cemerlang ... with the premier's help, Putera Umno hopes to turn these daredevil motorcyclists into national assets. 'If we cannot stop them, we join them'.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will rebrand illegal motorcycle riders - popularly known as 'Mat Rempit' or 'Mat Motor' - during an assembly in the Bukit Jalil national stadium this November.
Putera Umno chairperson Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said the rebranding of Mat Rempit was to change the illegal race participants' image towards something better.
"We are thinking of a suitable name like Mat Cemerlang," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
"We are finding a proper direction for them. We could not stop them to continue with their interests but we can guide them to find a (better) direction," he added.
Abdul Azeez said the motorcylists should not be perceived as a threat, adding that, "If we cannot stop them, we join them. We try to understand them because they are our youths."
At the three-day assembly starting from this Nov 12, several competitions would be held for the Mat Rempit with prizes including a Satria Neo and a motorcycle.
Strong bond
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 club.
"Due to this strong bond, 30 Mat Rempit will beat us if we cause trouble with its members," he added.
He said Putera Umno did not want the bond to be used towards negative elements but wanted to drive the youths away from drugs and encouraged them to pursue their studies.
He said for an example, a representative from a Honda motorcycle and car dealer was impressed with the riding skills of these Mat Rempit.
The representative was also amazed with the engineering skills of the Mat Rempit, boosting the speed of their motorcycles to 180km per hour considering that the company's engineers were having difficulties to achieve a speed of 120km per hour.
He said these Mat Rempit could actually be assets in building Malaysia if they were given the chance.
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.
Putera Umno chairperson Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said the rebranding of Mat Rempit was to change the illegal race participants' image towards something better.
"We are thinking of a suitable name like Mat Cemerlang," he was quoted as saying by Bernama. "We are finding a proper direction for them. We could not stop them to continue with their interests but we can guide them to find a (better) direction," he added.
Abdul Azeez said the motorcylists should not be perceived as a threat, adding that, "If we cannot stop them, we join them. We try to understand them because they are our youths."
At the three-day assembly starting from this Nov 12, several competitions would be held for the Mat Rempit with prizes including a Satria Neo and a motorcycle.
Strong bond
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 club.
"Due to this strong bond, 30 Mat Rempit will beat us if we cause trouble with its members," he added.
He said Putera Umno did not want the bond to be used towards negative elements but wanted to drive the youths away from drugs and encouraged them to pursue their studies.
He said for an example, a representative from a Honda motorcycle and car dealer was impressed with the riding skills of these Mat Rempit.
The representative was also amazed with the engineering skills of the Mat Rempit, boosting the speed of their motorcycles to 180km per hour considering that the company's engineers were having difficulties to achieve a speed of 120km per hour.
He said these Mat Rempit could actually be assets in building Malaysia if they were given the chance.
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.
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