SERDANG: Johor Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has proposed that the ‘mat rempit’ label be done away with to restore the tarnished image of motorcyclists.
Sultan Ibrahim, who is also a high-powered motorcycle enthusiast, said ‘mat rempit’ gave the impression that motorcyclists were scumbags and road gangsters.
“The label should appropriately be changed to ‘brother motor’ to reflect a disciplined and courteous motorcyclist.
“It is also to show that motorcyclists are a close-knit group, like a harmonious family,” he said when launching the 2018 Malaysia Bike Week (MBW) Jamboree at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (Maeps) site here yesterday.
Also present at the event organised by GPMoto were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is also GPMoto executive chairman and GPMoto president Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
The sultan also reminded ‘brother motor’ to respect other road users and to refrain from using public roads as racing circuits.
“I once reprimanded motorcyclists who were racing in front of Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor Bahru: Try to put yourself in the patient’s shoes. Perhaps if there is a ‘brother motor’ in the ward, he may complain, Babe, how can you be making so much noise when I am suffering here!” joked Sultan Ibrahim. — Bernama