It feels like a party on the streets, says teen

SHAH ALAM: Citing boredom as one reason for their activities, hundreds of youths took to the streets late at night over the holidays.

They came in groups on modified motorcycles to Dataran Kemerdekaan in Seksyen 14 here at around midnight on Saturday, filling the area with exhaust fumes and loud engine noise.

Many rode in circles around Persiaran Bandar Raya, Persiaran Perbandaran and Persiaran Damai, while others stopped beside the road and watched.

“It’s just too boring to stay at home. There’s nothing interesting to do,” said 19-year-old Afiq when asked why he was there.

The college student said he was there every weekend to “get some fresh air” while watching other bikers.

His companion, nicknamed Boy, said it felt great riding with friends.

“Sometimes we meet groups that have girls.

“Who knows – I might find myself a girlfriend who loves riding a motorcycle,” laughed the 23-yearold astride his new Yamaha 125z.

Asked if they got involved in illegal racing, Boy admitted that he used to do that with another group a few years ago but stopped.

“I had a nasty accident and broke several ribs. But I still enjoy speed and the freedom of riding,” he said.

As more groups arrived, some of the bolder ones did wheelies, earning cheers and whistles.

“It feels like a party here every weekend. But the crowd tonight is bigger, maybe because of the long weekend and holidays,” said Nurul, a teenager who said she came by whenever she was bored.

Asked if her parents knew where she was, Nurul became defensive.

Onlooker Zainal Ahmad said it was a common sight to find Mat Rempit gathering at the square every weekend before going to race along several expressways nearby.

“I think it is OK for them to gather here since there are no homes nearby, as long as they don’t endanger others,” said the 28-year-old.

However, Seksyen 10 resident Borhan Mat, 51, disagreed, saying the youths’ behaviour posed a danger to motorists.

“They should have better things to do than burn fuel and make unnecessary noise. The police should patrol here more frequently,” he said.

Shah Alam OCPD Asst Comm Shafien Mamat said police often did their rounds at the square and surrounding roads to deter Mat Rempit.

“These daredevils have their ‘rat holes’ and often manage to escape.

“I think more joint ops are needed to take them down,” he said.

ACP Shafien noted that in August alone, 21 Mat Rempit aged between 19 and 24 were charged in court.

Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam corporate communications head Shahrin Ahmad said the square was popular and open to everyone.

“We will always cooperate with the police to tackle the issue of Mat Rempit loitering around,” he said.