KUALA LUMPUR – Police’s nationwide crackdown on offences related to motorcycle exhaust modifications is aimed at educating riders on respecting public order and other people’s rights, said Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador.
The inspector-general of police refuted allegations that the special operation is to raise money for the government amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a press conference at Bukit Aman today, he said police have received numerous complaints from the public, especially people living in residential areas, on the “loud noises” emitted by motorcycles with exhaust modifications.
“The peace and harmony in residential areas is affected by the actions of irresponsible individuals who have made modifications to their motorcycles’ exhaust just to ‘feel great’, and in the illogical belief that (such modifications) increase the speed of their motorcycles.”
The operation, which began on March 1, is not meant to inconvenience motorists, but to ensure the safety of all road users, including motorcyclists themselves, he said.
Hamid said the exhaust modifications do not come cheap, sometimes costing thousands of ringgit.
Checks have shown that motorcyclists who make such modifications to their machines largely do so for “cosmetic purposes”.
“They want their motorcycles to look more stylish, and at the same time, (they have the misguided notion) that it will make their motorcycles go faster.”
He said 6,167 deaths were recorded in accidents involving motorcycles in 2019, with the figure dropping to 4,634 last year.
“The number reduced by 24.86% due to a lack of vehicles on the road (because of movement curbs against Covid-19).”
Of the 6,167 fatalities in 2019, motorcyclists accounted for 3,959 deaths, he said, and of the 4,634 recorded in 2020, 3,118 were motorcyclists.
Bukit Aman Traffic Enforcement Investigation Department director Datuk Azisman Alias said the department has discussed with the relevant agencies on the action to be taken over the sale of motorcycle exhaust equipment and other accessories.
“Police have discussed the matter with other agencies, but it is beyond police’s jurisdiction. We focus only on law enforcement.
“On the shops that sell these accessories, we have discussed with ministries, especially the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, about taking action against them.” – Bernama, March 23, 2021
.jpg)
