Malaysian authorities had proposed, planned, even threatened to come down hard on errant motorcyclists for many years but concrete campaigns have yet to materialize. We still have too many law flouters racing illegally, there are still too many of us getting maimed and killed.

As such, should the Ministry of Transportation have their way, the Road Transport Act 1987 will be revamped to introduce a maximum fine of RM10,000 against those who modified their motorcycle engines and exhausts. The current maximum fine is RM300.

Apart from that, riders caught racing illegally (rempit) will face imprisonment if convicted in court. If that is not enough, parents whose motorcycles were used by their children in illegal races will also face fines.

The government is also proposing to fine workshops that carry out illegal modifications, as well.

Datuk Isham Ishak, Chief Secretary in the Ministry of Transport said that raising the fines and imprisonment is through the Road Transport Act.

"It is due to some motorcyclists, especially youngsters who race illegally on public roads without due diligence to the law that is compelling us to raise the fines. The current maximum fine is only RM300 and they paid up without conscience. It is thus why we propose to raise the fine to RM10,000."

"The proposed fines are not only towards the illegal racers, but also towards their parents who allowed their motorcycles to be used, and the workshops that carried out the illegal modifications."

"These illegal races are not only for self-gratification, but also for immoral activities," he said.

The proposal will be tabled in Parliament later this year and may take effect by 2024, latest. Will it be implemented this time? We shall see.