KUALA LUMPUR – “We might not be able to stop these kids from racing but we can at least work on finding an effective solution,” said Olympian runner and former national athlete Nordin Jadi.
Commenting on the modified bicycle incident − commonly referred to as “basikal lajak” − Nordin said that society needs to come together and help these youths focus their energy and passion in a safe environment.
“When you see the kids getting involved in such dangerous yet challenging activities, such as ‘basikal lajak’, you can tell that they are daring.
“That’s why I think if we create a programme that can help channel that energy in a safe space or if we can get them to channel that bravery into something useful, we could protect them from harming themselves or others.
“If they are bold enough to do this (basikal lajak), they could be bold enough to get involved in other extreme sports. At least, this way it will be done as a legitimate activity in a controlled environment with a spirit of competitiveness,” Nordin told The Vibes.
In the past, Nordin had represented Malaysia in two Olympics – Los Angeles in 1984 and Seoul in 1988 – as well as represented Malaysia in athletics in the 1984 SEA Games.
After retiring from competitive sports, he decided to give back to the community by conducting track and field coaching programmes in Johor Bharu.
The 60-year-old tutors various groups of people − from Malaysia Games (Sukma) athletes to children and veterans alike.
Despite the risks inherent in high-performance or extreme sports, Nordin shared that it is important to have a responsible team at hand to help athletes prevent or deal with injuries.
He recalled childhood memories where as an active boy, he used to jump into the river from tall trees.
“When I was young, at my kampung, I would always climb up the highest tree and jump into the river during high tide. I’m not saying I condone this, it is dangerous but with proper training, you could hone that talent and turn yourself into a famous athlete, such as renowned national diver Datuk Pandalela Rinong Pamg.
“What I’m trying to say is kids will always seek out ways to do something to keep them active − you can’t stop that.
“What we can do is try to find a solution that helps them express their energy in a controlled manner where they will not be a danger to themselves or anyone else.
“A safe space where they have access to a medical team or a group of professionals that can help them should they get hurt,” Nordin added.
The Johorean further stressed that for any type of activity, safety must be a priority.
On April 13, a female clerk was sentenced to six years in jail and fined RM6,000 after the Malaysian High Court found her guilty of reckless driving, which caused the death of eight teenage cyclists five years ago in Johor Bharu.
However, on Monday, the appellate court granted a stay of execution, which allowed the convicted 27-year-old to be released from prison. – The Vibes, April 22, 2022
