{
  "id": 12083499,
  "title": "Tougher 'Mat Rempit' penalties, including jail, from Nov 1",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/tougher-mat-rempit-penalties-including-jail-from-nov-1",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T05:36:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1548005/tougher-mat-rempit-penalties-including-jail-nov-1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Road Transport Department officials anticipate tougher penalties, comprising imprisonment, for Mat Rempit-related activities starting from November 1st, following amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333). These amendments, approved by Parliament, are currently awaiting gazetting. The RTD's senior enforcement director, Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan, revealed that these changes will enable enforcement officers to enforce stricter measures against those involved in illegal racing and hazardous riding. The amendments, approved by Parliament, will come into effect from November 1st, provided all goes according to plan. Kifli disclosed that Section 42(a) of the Road Transport Act will facilitate investigating officers in taking legal action, while also facilitating the process of gazetting the amendments. The issue of Mat Rempit activities, a national concern, necessitates continuous enforcement by relevant agencies. Kifli highlighted that the recurring problem at Sultan Ismail Petra Airport would also be addressed through enhanced cooperation between the RTD and the police. The amendments are designed to bolster enforcement against illegal racing, road hooliganism, and other hazardous driving offenses, providing enforcement agencies with stronger legal provisions against dangerous driving.",
  "summary": "KOTA BARU: Tougher penalties, including imprisonment, for “Mat Rempit” activities are expected to come into force from Nov 1 following amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333).",
  "key_points": [
    "Tougher penalties, including jail time, for Mat Rempit activities starting Nov 1",
    "Amendments to Road Transport Act 1987 approved by Parliament, awaiting gazetting",
    "Enhanced cooperation between RTD and police to address Mat Rempit issues"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Tougher penalties for Mat Rempit-related activities, including imprisonment, signal a stricter approach by authorities to curb illegal racing and hazardous riding, bolstering enforcement agencies' legal powers.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}