GEORGE TOWN – Continous enforcement and monitoring by Penang police and other enforcement agencies showed the state is now free from large-scale illegal racing activities organised by mat rempit (illegal motorcycle racers).
This followed a tragedy on July 17, when five men were killed and two motorcyclists were seriously injured after being involved in an accident with several motorcycles and two cars on Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.
Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said during that period, there were only several minor cases involving dangerous riding by motorcyclists. They were detained for further investigation.
“There were two or three arrests (involving the racers), but it was more about them trying to show off their superman-like stunts. We will not compromise and police will apply to remand them,” he said at a press conference at Penang police contingent headquarters here today.
Meanwhile, Shuhaily said Penang will be hosting the 26th World Congress on Innovation and Technology 2022 from September 13 to 15.
Following this, several roads leading to the location of congress will be closed.
The locations involved are the Setia Spice Convention Centre, Eastern and Oriental Hotel and Padang Kota Lama
Some 4,000 local and foreign delegates including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will attend.
On another matter, Shuhaily said car thefts in Penang rose sharply by 57.6% to 104 cases to date this year compared to 65 cases for the same period last year.
“In the same period, motorcycle thefts went up by 1.2% to 515 cases this year compared to 509 cases last year.
“Overall vehicle thefts for this year were up by 9.9% to 643 cases compared to 585 cases in 2021,” he said. – Bernama, September 9, 2022
