BIKERS’ PLIGHT TO BE RAISED AT THAI MEET
Group submits memorandum urging Foreign Ministry’s intervention
MALAYSIA will engage Thailand through a government-to -government (G2G) meeting to address the plight of Malaysian superbike riders crossing into the kingdom.
Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said the ministry would raise the issue with the Thai government through the Joint Commission Meeting (JCM), which was hosted annually.
He said this following a memorandum submitted by the Bikers United Club Malaysia (BUCM) at the ministry’s headquarters here yesterday.
BUCM had urged the ministry to intervene in the problem faced by riders and their families in the event of an accident or death during their expeditions to the kingdom.
The memorandum cited several instances where the families of deceased bikers had to pay hefty sums to repatriate the remains of their loved ones.
It is also seeking a review of the high penalty bikers had to pay Thai authorities when they are involved in minor road accidents and incidents where they are not at fault.
Reezal said their grievances would be highlighted at the meeting.
“I believe there is a serious lack of knowledge of Thai regulations, laws and insurance among Malaysians.
“Therefore, at the meeting, matters — such as the type of insurance to be taken and the appointment of established and reliable insurance companies to represent Malaysians, how to resolve the language barrier between the parties and engaging lawyers — will be raised.”
Malaysians were urged to observe the laws of the country they were visiting so that they would be protected, Reezal said.
“Bikers are advised to inform the consulate-general’s office and the embassy each time they planned a trip.
“This will ensure that they stay on the ministry’s radar and we can render assistance if needed.”
BUCM vice-chairman Azuan Abu Bakar hoped that a solution would be reached through the meeting.
“We have lost many lives during our expeditions to the neighbouring country (Thailand), and their families were slapped with high fees to repatriate the remains.
“This is not fair. We are not blaming anyone, but we want justice to be done,” he said.
BUCM, which has a membership of 10,000, crosses the Thai border twice a month.
Azuan said in the case of a Malaysian superbike rider who was killed and his wife seriously injured in an accident in southern Thailand on Jan 16, the family was asked to pay RM27,000 to repatriate the remains.
“Since the family didn’t have that much money, the club president paid RM10,000 and mortgaged two bikes to pay the authorities.”