Robert (left) and Ronaidi showing the detained vehicles.
KENINGAU: Nineteen vehicles suspected of involvement in illegal racing around town and on the main Keningau-Apin-Apin road, were detained by the police on Sunday.
District police chief DSP Robert Salisip @ David said yesterday that the operation to apprehend motorcycles and vehicles involved in illegal racing and street gangs was carried out on October 6 at 10pm in town and on the Keningau-Apin-Apin road, especially on the main road near Taman Fajar housing estate.
He said the operation led by the district traffic police chief Inspector Mohd Ronaidi Mohd Jaafar, together with five traffic police personnel, five members of the volunteer police force and a driver detained 12 motorcycles, two cars and five four-wheel drive vehicles.
“All the vehicles and drivers were held for various offences, like not having a driver’s license, no insurance coverage, fitted with modified exhaust system, failure to produce a licence, sporting fancy plate numbers, having expired road tax disc, absence of registration numbers and fitted with bald tires.
“During the operation, two motorcycle riders managed to escape and all the apprehended vehicles were brought to the police station for further action,” he said.
Robert disclosed that all the vehicles’ owners were local people from Keningau, Tambunan, Ranau, Likas and Tawau, aged between 18 and 45 years, including a foreigner.
According to him, all the vehicle owners reclaimed their vehicles from the police station yesterday after paying their summonses.
He said before the vehicles were returned to the owners, the police had asked the Road Transport Department (RTD) to check on them first.
“The police will not hesitate to take more stringent action on vehicle owners who take part in illegal racing and this operation will continue to stamp out illegal racing which causes public disorder and nuisance to other road users following complaints from the public of loud vehicle noise at midnight every weekend,” he said.
According to him, these illegal racers are not only endangering themselves but also posing a danger to other road users.
He also advised the owners of vehicles not to host any illegal racing but instead make the roads safe for themselves and other users.
“Parents should also play a role to advise and ensure that their teenage children are not involved in illegal racing because a large number of vehicle drivers detained are youths. It would be best to teach them to comply with traffic laws besides developing respect and consideration for safety while on the road, especially for themselves and other users,” he said.