I refer to the article – “Cops and JPJ in joint effort to take bikes away from Mat Rempit” (The Star, 26th April) and I must congratulate the Police, government and JPJ for finally deciding to take a stern action and get tough on these public menaces.
However, it is in my humble opinion that taking away the motorcycles of these Mat Rempits would only lead to a series of retaliation towards members of society in the form of increased crimes, which would only be more rampant and dangerous than it already is.
With their motorcycles impounded, it is inevitable that motorcycle theft, armed assault and robberies would increase tremendously as these individuals seek to replace their motorcycles and inflict retribution to members of society for their loss. There is no point for punishment that seeks no form of rehabilitation. Individuals would simply re-offend in a more bold and dangerous manner.
I would suggest alternative forms punishment to be implemented – apart form the obvious imprisonment sentences – which should be reserved for serious offenders as putting these petty offenders in prison would more than often, yield negative results to petty crimes such as these.
Among the methods implemented overseas with great success includes – punishment such as public service sentences of 150 to 240 hours. This hefty punishment (unpaid labour and deprivation of liberty) would not only serve as a cure to their reason for crime – cited as ‘boredom’ but would serve to rehabilitate these individuals to be more civic conscious as they work to clean up playgrounds, streets, clogged drains, graffiti, illegally posted bills, the and very roads they race on – serving their sentences and beautifying the city in the process – saving city councils tons of money and manpower.Labels: events, misc, opinion |
posted by Joel at 
