MBJB wants more power to ban Mat Lajak from streets

JOHOR BARU: The local authority here wants power to ban teenage cyclists from riding on certain roads at specified times in a move to stop the Mat Lajak cycling problem
Johor Baru City council (MBJB) Mayor Datuk A. Rahim Nin said it had reviewed its by-law and found that it needed more power to enforce a ban on the streets for cyclist.
Mat Lajak are cyclists who illegally modified their bicycles and ride without brakes on them.
"Under the Road Transport Act 1987, bicycles are categorised as a type of vehicle and as such, bicycles are subjected to traffic laws under the act," he said after the council's full board meeting today.
This being the case, he said, the council's legal department will apply to the Transport Ministry to make changes to the law that would allow it to ban cyclists from the streets at certain times.
He said, the proposed penalty for the Mat Lajak cyclists is fine up to RM1,000 or jail not exceeding three months or both upon conviction.
“We must restrict Mat Lajak. It is sad to know that police said there are still hardcore Mat Lajak on the road. Police detained these Mat Lajak, called their parents to take them home after they are detained," he said.
Johor Baru recorded the biggest cycling tragedy in the country when eight teenagers were killed on Feb 18 this year when a car driven by a woman ploughed into a group of cyclists in Jalan Lingkaran Dalam, Johor Baru at about 3am.