The notoriety of Mat Rempits in Malaysia is infamous. Everyone knows that. Mess with one of them is like getting the Mafias putting a gun down your throat. Bunch of lousy troublemakers. Anyway, all you Malaysians out there who by chance stumbled upon this should read this article from Bernama. As we approach the country's 49th Merdeka, I think this is just one of the gahmen's rhetorics...
Rebranding Of 'Mat Rempit' On The Cards
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- Illegal motorcycle riders or "Mat Rempit" will be rebranded by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at an assembly in the Bukit Jalil National Stadium this November, says Putera Umno Chairman Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim.
He said the rebranding of Mat Rempit was to change the illegal race participants' image towards something better, and "we are thinking of a suitable name like Mat Cemerlang (Excellent Mat)."
"We are finding a proper direction for them. We could not stop them to continue with their interests but we can guide them to find a direction," he told reporters after officiating the Malaysian Pengasih Association's Eighth General Meeting here Sunday.
Abdul Azeez said they should not be perceived as a threat, adding that, "If we cannot stop them, we join them. We try to understand them because they are our youths."
At the three-day assembly starting from this Nov 12, several competitions would be held for the Mat Rempit with prizes including a Satria Neo and a motorcycle.
Abdul Azeez said several things that could be learnt from these illegal riders were their strong camaraderie and a large membership of at least 5,000 riders despite being an unregistered club.
"Due to this strong bond, 30 Mat Rempit will beat us if we cause trouble with its members," he added.
He said Putera Umno did not want the bond to be inclined towards negative elements but wanted to drive the youths away from drugs and encouraged them to pursue their studies.
He said for an example, a representative from a Honda motorcycle and car dealer was impressed with the riding skills of these Mat Rempit.
The representative was also amazed with the engineering skills of the Mat Rempit, boosting the speed of their motorcycles to 180 kilometres per hour considering that the company's engineers were having difficulties to achieve a speed of 120 kilometres per hour.
He said these Mat Rempit could actually be assets in building Malaysia if they were given the chance.
Abdul Azeez said this Aug 26, he and Umno Youth Vice Chief Khairy Jamaluddin would come down to the ground on their motorcycles to meet the Mat Rempit.
--BERNAMA
Mat Cemerlang, what the hell is that?? I would be ashamed to be called that if I'm a Mat Rempit.
Anyway, another piece of news that I think most of us are not aware of, it's what many people think will happen today, 22nd of August. Just Google "Iran" and "22nd August", you'll find it creepy and disturbing.
Melbourne - Kuala Lumpur
The rantings and thoughts of a student living far away from home. Azreey is a struggling architecture student from Malaysia now in RMIT University, Melbourne and the following is his thoughts and experiences on the life he has been going through for the past 20 years... More..
Hmm..that's an interesting news.
didnt do well in malay when I was in highschool =P. Does rempit mean anything?