Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye says the authorities are fighting a losing battle against the Mat Rempit even with operations going on every week. ― Bernama pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 — Enforcement efforts to curb the increasing number of Mat Rempit cases nationwide has failed, said Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) president Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

“The authorities are fighting a losing battle even with operations going on every week,” he said.

“Mat Rempit is an issue plaguing us for a very long time, over the past decade the problem has become more serious.”

Responding to Sunday’s incident where four Mat Rempit died and six more were injured along the Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Highway near Kajang, Lee said very little progress has been made in coaxing youngsters out of the illegal activity.

“They don’t realise that it is dangerous and even if they knew, it seems as though they don’t care much,” he said.

“This comes down to their attitude. Teenagers see it as something cool even if it endangers their lives and those around them.”

He theorised that for many of the teenagers and children involved, they grew up not receiving the necessary parental attention.

“Many of these kids may be growing up in families where their parents aren’t equipped with proper parenting skills in tackling peer pressure,” said Lee.

“Workshops and labs should be carried out with counsellors, parents, teachers, authorities and the children to understand what is the appeal of being a Mat Rempit.

“Mat Rempit recruits are getting younger, many are already training with bicycles only to graduate later to motorbikes,” he said.

Lee added that motorcycle theft was still the highest rated crime in the country.

“Clearly they are willing to do illegal things just to become Mat Rempit, but we must put an end to it and perhaps labs will help,” he said.