Mat Rempit

Last updated

An illustration of a Mat Rempit performing the "Superman" maneuver, which is when the rider lies flat on their stomach while on the move, to mock the way a superhero flies. MatRempit001.svg
An illustration of a Mat Rempit performing the “Superman” maneuver, which is when the rider lies flat on their stomach while on the move, to mock the way a superhero flies.

A Mat Rempit is a Malaysian term for an individual (usually a youngster) who participates in hooliganism and illegal activities such as street racing, stunt biking, petty crime, and public disturbance using a motorcycle. [1] These individuals usually ride underbone2-stroke or 4-stroke motorcycles common in southeast Asia, locally known colloquially as Kapcai or scooters.

Contents

Mat Rempits are often seen on Malaysian streets, where they gather in groups and race against one another, or otherwise engage in dangerous activities such as night races and stunts (e.g. wheelies, Superman (lying flat on the seat), wikang and scorpion (standing on the seat with one leg during a wheelie). There have been cases where they openly break the law and rebel against authorities, running through roadblocks, riding against the traffic, or hitting police officers with their motorbikes. Mat Rempits often race or perform stunts without proper safety gear while using improperly-equipped or illegally modified bikes. This often leads to accidents, causing major injuries or death, both to themselves and innocent bystandanders.

Etymology

The word "Rempit" comes from "ramp-(rev)-it" (ramp the throttle). According to the Kamus Dewan , the definition of "Rempit" is "the act of whipping with a cane". [2] A possible alternative source of the word is derived from the noise made by a 2-stroke motorcycle. "Mat" is a slang term used to refer to a male person who is usually of Malay descent.

Organization and traits

Mat Rempits usually gather in groups in bustling city centers on weekend nights. These gatherings are often followed by impromptu performances of stunts or races along a stretch of road. The term "Mat Rempit" itself usually come with the negative connotation of illegal activities, ranging from petty crimes such as public disturbance and reckless riding, to more serious ones such as gangsterism, robbery, [3] [4] street fighting, assault, [5] vandalism, substance abuse, theft and bullying. Most motorcycles used by the Mat Rempits do not meet standard specifications, or have been modified extensively for greater speed. Many Mat Rempits also opt to install aftermarket exhausts for their higher performance and loud noise.

Additionally, most Mat Rempits do not have valid motorcycle licenses, do not pay road taxes, and ride stolen motorcycles. [6] [7] A growing number of housing estates have also been turned into racing tracks. [8] It is estimated that there are about 200,000 Mat Rempits in Malaysia. [9]

Violence

In April 2009, Malaysia's Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan said that the Mat Rempit had become violent and brazen instead of just being a public nuisance. He said "we have to come down hard on the Mat Rempit who have started to become involved in robberies, snatch thefts and are even attacking innocent road users and we also need to use harsh tactics to catch the Mat Rempit that try to runaway from the roadblocks". He also added that "parents must be more responsible and should not allow their underage children to drive cars or ride motorcycles".

Mat Rempits often end up being hospitalized with varying degrees of injury after failing to perform their actions or stunts such as 'superman', 'spider' and many more. Every weekend, a number of Mat Rempits were hospitalized after being involved in accidents from high-speed racing and/or stunts.

According to Selangor police chief Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah, it was the parents who are the ones who should be blamed on this and while Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief, Amar Singh said that it was due to lack of parents' attention, Amar also pointed out that especially when they are in a big group, they would act aggressively by attacking the authorities and challenging traffic laws indiscriminately. He further pointed out that their peers will challenge them to do something outrageous like assaulting police officers and challenging road rules, just to prove that they're not cowards." [10]

Political reaction

The widespread phenomenon of the subculture has driven some politicians in Malaysia to voice out concern and need to help rehabilitate the people involved in activities pertaining to that culture. Khairy Jamaluddin and Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim as he was formerly mat rempit. Khairy says "should become the "Eyes and Ears" of Malaysian"[ clarification needed ]

In 2006, a Member of Parliament representing Jenderak, Pahang suggested that the Mat Rempit should be accepted and guided to save them from indulging in dangerous activities. [11]

In 2008, newspaper Kosmo! reported that the Mat Rempit in the state of Kelantan would be allowed to show off their skills at a special track to be built by the state government in Tanah Merah. [12] The then-Menteri Besar, Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said amidst the criticism that the track was not a waste of money, stating:

They (the Mat Rempit) always make their mothers and wives worry. With the track they will have a proper place to express their feelings and show their bravery and heroics...

The Kelantan approach was noted of by the neighbouring state Kedah, where its state government looked into the possibility of building such an infrastructure, to "overcome the menace", saying another option was to create more job opportunities for them as most of them were jobless. [13] The former state's Chief Minister Azizan Abdul Razak said "we will first study if the circuit in Kelantan has effectively curbed the menace".

Enforcement operations

On 3 May 2009, the Bukit Aman Traffic Division of the Royal Malaysian Police, together with the Road Transport Department, launched a major integrated operation to crack down on both car and Mat Rempit motorcycle illegal racing. More than 115 motorcycles were impounded in the major operation which was held simultaneously in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan. [14]

In the media

The subculture surrounding the Mat Rempit has been the focus of numerous films and songs in Malaysia.

Film depictions of the subculture began (and made popular) in 1984 with Gila-Gila Remaja, [15] Ali Setan (1985), [16] Litar Kasih (1996), [17] KL Menjerit (2002) [18] and its prequel KL Menjerit 1 (2005), [19] REMP-IT (2006), Bohsia: Jangan Pilih Jalan Hitam (2009), Adnan Semp-It (2010) and V3 Samseng Jalanan (2010).

Deejays JJ and Rudy (The Morning Crew) from hitz.fm radio station have made a parody of Teriyaki Boyz's called We're Not So Furious, designed to mock Mat Rempit culture.

Songs on Mat Rempit subculture

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malaysian Islamic Party</span> Islamist political party in Malaysia

The Malaysian Islamic Party, also known as the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, is an Islamist political party in Malaysia. Ideologically focused on Islamic fundamentalism. PAS's electoral base is largely centred around Peninsular Malaysia's rural northern and east coast regions particularly the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, and Kedah. They also gained significant support in the rural areas of Perak and Pahang in the last 2022 general election and the 2023 state elections; dubbed as the "Green Wave".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1963 in Malaysia</span>

This article lists important figures and events in Malayan and Malaysian public affairs during the year 1963, together with births and deaths of significant Malaysians. The Federation of Malaya merged with Singapore, North Borneo, and Sarawak to form the Federation of Malaysia on 16 September.

This article lists important figures and events in Malaysian public affairs during the year 1970, together with births and deaths of notable Malaysians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1993 in Malaysia</span>

This article lists important figures and events in Malaysian public affairs during the year 1993, together with births and deaths of notable Malaysians. The deadliest structural failure in Malaysian history occurred when an apartment block in Selangor collapsed, killing 48 people on 11 December.

Ishak Haji Muhammad, better known as Pak Sako, was a Malaysian writer, active in the 1930s until the 1950s. He was a nationalist and his involvement began before independence and continued thereafter. He fought for the idea of the unification of Melayu Raya where Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei are united in one collective.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosyam Nor</span> Malaysian actor, television host and film producer

Datuk Mohamed Noor bin Shamsuddin, known professionally as Rosyam Nor, is a Malaysian actor, television host and film producer.

<i>Remp-It</i> 2006 Malaysian film

Remp-It is a 2006 Malaysian Malay-language action film directed by Ahmad Idham starring Farid Kamil, Zul Huzaimy, Cat Farish, Julia Hana and Aqasha. This film focusing on the lifestyle of Malaysian motorcycle street racers, who are known locally as Mat Rempit. This film released in 10 August 2006 and gained a positive review from critics.

<i>Sinar Harian</i> Malay language newspaper

Sinar Harian is a Malay-language daily newspaper published in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia in a compact format. It first hit the newsstands on 31 July 2006 in the East Coast states of Kelantan and Terengganu before expanding its distribution to the state of Selangor and the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur in the West Coast in September 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 in Malaysia</span>

This article lists important figures and events in Malaysian public affairs during the year 2009, together with the deaths of notable Malaysians. Malaysia hosted the 2009 ASEAN Para Games between 15 and 19 August. Malaysia recorded more than 2,000 confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1) and 76 deaths during a world pandemic of the disease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mubin Sheppard</span> Malaysian civil servant and historian

Abdul Mubin Sheppard, born Mervyn Cecil ffrank Sheppard, pen name M. C. ff Sheppard, was a Malaysian World War II veteran and prisoner of war, as well as a renowned historian and academic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malaysia Premier Futsal League</span> Futsal league in Malaysia

The Malaysia Premier Futsal League, commonly abbreviated as MPFL, is a men's professional futsal league sanctioned by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). It was previously known as the Liga Futsal Kebangsaan (LFK). Successful MPFL teams qualify for Asian continental club competitions, including the AFC Futsal Club Championship and AFF Futsal Club Championship. Originally founded as a single division, in 2024, the second division MPFL Division 2 was established. Johor Darul Ta'zim are the current MPFL Division 1 champion while Kelantan are the current MPFL Division 2 champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 in Malaysia</span>

2011 in Malaysia is the 54th anniversary of Malaysia's independence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 in Malaysia</span>

2013 was the 56th anniversary of Malaysia's independence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Sukma Games</span> Multi-sport event in Sarawak, Malaysia

The 2016 Sukma Games, officially known as the 18th Sukma Games was a Malaysian multi-sport event held in Sarawak. This was Sarawak's second time to host the Sukma Games, and its first time since 1990.

Liga Perdana 2 or Liga Perdana Dua was the nation's second-tier professional football league in Malaysia that operated from 1998 to 2003.

This article lists important figures and events in the public affairs of British Malaya during the year 1947, together with births and deaths of prominent Malayans. As the Malayan Union, Malaya was a British colony.

<i>Mat Moto</i> 2016 film by Pekin Ibrahim

Mat Moto: Kami Mat Moto, Bukan Mat Rempit is a 2016 Malaysian Malay-language action adventure film co-directed by Pekin Ibrahim and Syafiq Yusof. The screenplay was written by Pekin Ibrahim and marks his directorial debut. It features an ensemble cast including Pekin himself, Rosyam Nor, Zul Huzaimy, Faizal Hussein, Cat Farish, Syamsul Yusof, Shaheizy Sam, Kamarool Hj. Yusof, Falisha Crossley, and Hakim Nawawi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faizal Hussein</span> Malaysian actor

Mohd Faizal Hussein is a Malaysian actor. He made his acting debut in 1972 and is known for his role as Roy in the 1986 teen film Gila-Gila Remaja, directed by his father Hussein Abu Hassan. In 2019, Harian Metro listed him as one of the top 10 best Malaysian actors of all time.

<i>Mat Kilau</i> (film) 2022 Malaysian film

Mat Kilau: Kebangkitan Pahlawan is a 2022 Malaysian Malay-language epic biographical action adventure film that is inspired by historical events directed by Syamsul Yusof, starring Adi Putra as Mat Kilau bin Imam Rasu, a Malay warrior who fought the British colonialists during the Pahang Uprising in Pahang, British Malaya before independence. The film features Beto Kusyairy, Fattah Amin, Yayan Ruhian, Geoff Andre Feyaerts and Johan As'ari in supporting roles.

References

  1. ↑ "Young, fast, and safe", The Sun , Malaysia, 6 May 2014
  2. ↑ "Rujukan Kamus Terbitan DBP". sbmb.dbp.gov.my (in Malay). Archived from the original on 30 May 2008. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
  3. ↑ Motorcycle gang robs vendor of RM70
  4. ↑ Tan, David (19 January 2007). "Mat Rempit gang menace Rep: Three robberies brought to my attention". The Star. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  5. ↑ Alang Bendahara (10 November 2008). "Chaos after m-cyclist dies in crash". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 13 November 2008.
  6. ↑ Mat Rempit The Star Online Motoring Blog
  7. ↑ Membendung lumba haram Harian Metro Archived 10 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ Tunku Shahariah (2 January 2007). "Residents fed up with Mat Rempit ruckus go after them". The Star. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  9. ↑ Rempit – Budaya Menunjuk-nunjuk – Kosmo! (in Malay) (4 January 2007)
  10. ↑ "Selangor CPO blames parents for Rempit mentality | the Malay Mail". Archived from the original on 13 April 2013.
  11. ↑ kennysia.com: Adopt-A-Rempit
  12. ↑ "Kelantan to build track for Mat Rempit". The Star. 1 May 2008. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  13. ↑ Archives | The Star Online
  14. ↑ "115 motor kena angkut", Harian Metro (in Malay), 4 May 2009
  15. ↑ "Gila-Gila Remaja - Filem Malaysia". www.filemkita.com. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  16. ↑ "Filem - Ali Setan (1985)". www.filemkita.com. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  17. ↑ "Litar Kasih - Filem Malaysia". www.filemkita.com. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  18. ↑ "KL Menjerit - Filem Malaysia". www.filemkita.com. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  19. ↑ "Filem - KL Menjerit 1 (2005)". www.filemkita.com. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.