A 17-year-old was detained for riding without a licence for the fourth time, despite previous fines, during an operation targeting illegal racing in Sentul.
KUALA LUMPUR: A 17-year-old boy was detained for riding a motorcycle without a licence for the fourth time during an early morning operation targeting illegal racing.
The teenager from Wangsa Maju was caught on the Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE) in Sentul while on his way to a friend’s house.
He admitted to having been fined three times before, with total penalties of approximately RM900, which he paid by working at a restaurant as both his parents are unemployed.
The youth stated he is in the process of obtaining his licence by the end of this month and is often reminded by his parents to be responsible for his actions.
Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) chief ACP Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa said the special operation was launched following public complaints about illegal racing and motorcycle noise in the area.
He said illegal racing activity in the area has been active since last year, especially on weekends, covering a 1.8-kilometre straight stretch from DUKE to the Gombak exit.
“Most of the riders involved are from around the Klang Valley, including Gombak, Kajang and Cheras,” he said at a press conference after the operation.
The operation ran from 9 pm to 5 am, involving 10 officers and 106 JSPT personnel, with cooperation from the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) and DUKE highway concessionaires.
From 1 January to date, police have made 40 arrests in the area under Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987.
DUKE, Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Raja Laut have been identified as illegal “circuits” for these groups, who frequently change locations to avoid enforcement, Mohd Zamzuri added.
Simultaneous operations were conducted at Jalan Ipoh-Chow Kit, Jalan Ipoh-Sentul and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, with a total of 450 motorcycles inspected.
From that number, 83 motorcycles were seized and six individuals were detained under Section 42 of the Road Transport Act.
One rider also tested positive for methamphetamine under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
“Most of the motorcycles were found to be modified, including the use of non-specification tyres, missing brakes and noisy exhausts, which are the main causes of public complaints,” Mohd Zamzuri said.
He noted that these modifications create a misconception of continuous illegal racing activity.
Most riders are aged between 16 and 19, with some as young as 14, prompting Mohd Zamzuri to advise parents to monitor their children’s movements and ensure they obey traffic rules.
