SIBU: Good upbringing is more effective than blaming and penalising youths for misdemeanor like Mat Rempit, Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah pointed out.
He called for all parties to put on their thinking caps to address problems from a bigger spectrum.
“Moulding youths into good citizens is the responsibility of everyone, parents, schools, the community, NGOs and the government.
“Blaming and penalising youths for the things they do will not resolve the problem. Pointing fingers at parents or police also does not help,” he said.
Abdul Karim was asked how to prevent youths from getting drawn into Mat Rempit activities.
According to a news report, Kuching division Resident Abang Shamsuddin Abang Seruji viewed with concern that the Mat Rempit problem was getting prevalent in the city.
Abang Shamsuddin said more healthy activities were needed to engage youths.
Abdul Karim said NGOs can provide facilities and programmes for youths while the government give grants to NGOs, building facilities and formulate programmes to address social problems in the city or countryside.
Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee when contacted yesterday concurred that healthy games such as skateboarding could help keep youths away from negative activities such as drug abuse, Mat Rempit and others.