Double Trouble: Navigating Malaysia's Traffic Dilemma and the Dual Standards for Motorcyclists

Regardless of whether you are a driver or simply a road user, have you ever noticed a particular phenomenon?

It seems that, while waiting for traffic lights to turn green, some motorcyclists tend to disregard the signal. Instead, they scan their surroundings and promptly cross the road upon confirming it's safe. This tendency is especially prevalent among food delivery riders and “Mat Rempit”, also known as illegal street racers.

Photo taken from MOTOQAR

This prompts one to question whether Malaysia operates on two sets of traffic rules—one tailored for motorcycles and another for other vehicles—given the persistent instances of motorcycle rule violations.

Of course, not all motorcyclists exhibit such irresponsibility. Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that this small minority frequently causes discomfort among other road users, consequently elevating the risk of accidents.

Consider food delivery services, for instance. What immediately comes to mind? The convenience of having food delivered to your doorstep while comfortably staying at home, or the sight of delivery motorcycles recklessly manoeuvring through traffic, paying little heed to traffic regulations?

According to a report from the Sin Chew Daily, eight out of ten food delivery riders violate traffic rules at least 20 times a month, with running red lights being the most common offence. Some delivery riders even admit to lacking insurance coverage, while their motorcycle road tax is often expired.

One food delivery rider has noted that as delivery fees decrease, customer demands for faster service increase. This puts delivery riders under pressure to meet these expectations, resulting in unstable income and time constraints—becoming the primary reasons for running red lights.

In response, an interviewed individual, Lee Kai Seng, expressed understanding as a consumer who desires prompt food delivery.

"I can empathise with the anxiety that delivery riders experience when hurrying to deliver orders because I, too, hope to receive my meals on time. I am not sure about the policies of the delivery companies, but perhaps the government should communicate with them to consider relaxing the penalties, as such (violations of traffic rules) are genuinely not ideal. Additionally, I don't sense a strong enforcement effort from the police; it seems they are strict with car users but lenient with motorcycle riders," Lee said.

Malaysia has the third-highest number of road deaths per 100,000 people. Graph taken from FINN.

Another example illustrating the double standards in law enforcement is the case of motorcycle modification and dangerous driving by "Mat Rempit". According to a survey by FINN, Malaysia ranks third globally in road traffic accident mortality, with 22.48 deaths per 100,000 people.

Minister of Transport Anthony Loke also pointed out that, one of the reasons for the highest death rate in road accidents in our country is the participation of individuals, most of whom are below the age of 20, in illegal racing.

The actions of Mat Rempit not only disturb residents attempting to rest at night but also pose a serious threat to the safety of road users. Many have firsthand experience with the behaviour of Mat Rempit, who even shares videos of their reckless driving on social media, demonstrating a complete disregard for traffic rules.

The noise from the modified motorcycles makes Sia Zhi Qin, who rarely gets to spend time with family in Malacca, find it extremely displeasing.

"The whole night was filled with stunt biking, making it impossible for my family and me to have a conversation. It greatly affected our mood. What's worse is that they continued stunt biking for so long, and we didn't see any police intervention. It's really frustrating," he expressed.

Minister of Transport Anthony Loke; photo taken from Parlimen Malaysia

While the government acknowledges the issue, as stated by Minister of Transport Anthony Loke, who mentioned a comprehensive review of current regulations, including potential increases in fines, the author believes that stricter penalties will only affect law-abiding drivers. The real issue may lie in the ease of obtaining licences and the incentives for purchasing motorcycles.

The author contends that only through enhanced law enforcement and increased difficulty in obtaining a motorcycle licence can the root of the problem be addressed.

This report is not meant to criticise the lack of enforcement, as the police have consistently taken actions and urged compliance through the media. However, the irresponsible behaviour of some motorcyclists has led road users to question the fairness of law enforcement, making the issue of road safety even more critical.