'Kapcai' motorcycle ride home for Raya a joy for some youths

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the wide choice of public transportation available, some youths opt to ride the 'kapcai' (low-powered motorcycle) to return to their hometowns and villages for the Aidilfitri.
They feel that besides being cost effective, riding in a convoy is a way to foster closer ties during the festive season.
Private sector employee Mohd Syahrul Hafizan Wahid, 25, said he took part in such a convoy of 15 to 20 motorcycles three years ago.
"It's not that I don't want to use public transportation, but sometimes bus and train tickets are all snapped up during the fasting month itself.
"So I planned with friends to go back to our hometown together by motorcycle, even though we have to ride over 300 kilometres," he told Bernama.
Mohd Syahrul, who hails from the Sungai Terah Kesedar Land Rehabilitation Programme (RPT) in Gua Musang, Kelantan, said there are more benefits riding a motorcycle than driving a car to return home.
"This includes avoiding traffic congestion which usually occurs two days before Aidilfitri because everyone heads back to their hometowns and villages then.
"I pity relatives who get stuck for more than 10 hours on the road because there is no highway connecting Pahang and Kelantan," he said.
His friend, Mohd Akirul Abdullah, 24, from Felda Paloh 3, Gua Musang, said the motorcycle needs to be serviced before the journey.
He said it is most important to replace the engine oil and brakes, as well as ensure that the tyres are in good condition.
"Before heading back, we also need to make sure to bring along apparatus such as spanners and tyre tubes in case of a puncture. Also make sure that at least one of those in the convoy knows how to repair a motorcycle," he added. – Bernama