The director-general of road safety, Abdul Ghafur Yusof, said there were people who were lax about wearing helmets when riding on motorcycles.

He said the proposed rule could be easily implemented as the Road Transport Act requires motorcyclists to use helmets. Furthermore, the cost of a new helmet is only between RM30 and RM50,” he said.

Having two helmets sold with a motorcycle would help create awareness and encourage riders and their passengers to use helmets at all times, he said.

Abdul Ghafur, here for a Sarawak road safety campaign, distributed about 30 helmets to motorcyclists taking part.

Road Transport Department director general Ismail Ahmad has called for motorcyle enthusiasts or “Mat Rempit” to change their ways and become competent motorcycle users in accordance with the law.

“Mat Rempit do not follow the speed limit and some may not have a valid licence but a ‘Mat Motor’ does not get involved in illegal racing or speeding or riding in a way that can endanger others,” he said when commenting on a proposal to use city roads as a special racing track for ‘Mat Rempit’.

– BERNAMA