NEED TO ENFORCE THE LAW

I refer to your Cross
Talk, "Living in fear of Mat Rempit Gang," by Prof. Rozmi Ismail, Head
of Psychology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. (NST May 9).
I am sure many would
have read, the professor's report on them, and the fear that they have
created for the people.The phenomenon will be here to stay if nothing
drastic is done soonest, especially by the Government. Amend the law,
enact new Act. or do whatever is necessary
We have been talking
about this serious issue for more than a decade. In those days they
were only "pelumba haram", earning a few bucks from punters , but
today the groups have increased to an alarming numbers, making it
more difficult for the police to combat the trend, which is worrying
and frightening the people. They have turned into aggressive mobsters
,gangsters,rapists, gang robbers, and snatch thieves. Unfortunately
,the professor did not mention whether they are also hook on drugs as
drug pushers or addicts .
More than a year ago,
I suggested in my letter to this column (NST April 29) that Mat Rempit
be classified as Juvenile delinquents, as most of them are below 18
years of age, and they should be committed to Henry Gurney Schools,
for three years or till the age of 21. The suggestion turned into deaf
ears, and today the phenomenon is getting from bad to worse.. It
appears that the public is not given any protection at all.
Tan Sri Lim Lam
Thye,from the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation, recently ,agreed
with me
when he wrote to letters ,(NST May 6)" Classify them as Juvenile
Delinquents," and suggested that they be sent to reform schools like
the Henry Gurney schools, where they will receive counselling and
skill training .
Since we already have
the necessary laws and facilities to commit them ,I feel that it would
be a waste of time and public fund to set up more rehabilitation
centres especially for the Mat Rempit, as suggested by the Inspector
General of Police, in your report,"rehabilitate illegal racers (Nst.
May 8). All the police and the JPJ need to do is to enforce the law
strictly. Commit the below 18 to Henry Gurney Schools and the above
18 to Prisons, for various offences under existing laws.



NOR SHAHID MOHD NOR
Petaling Jaya.