KUALA LUMPUR: Two 12-year-old girls were among those caught in a Road Transport Department (RTD) operation targeting illegal street racing along Jalan Ampang and Jalan Sultan Ismail yesterday.
RTD director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said the sting operation, launched at midnight following public complaints, resulted in the arrest of 38 motorcycles and their riders.
“The two underage girls were found participating in the illegal race while riding heavily modified motorcycles, with alterations made to their exhaust and braking systems.
“This is alarming because not only were they underage, but the motorcycles they were riding had been illegally modified,” he told a press conference after attending a Ramadan programme.
Also present were Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, RTD senior enforcement director Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan and City RTD director Hamidi Adam.
Aedy said that of the 38 motorcycles, 19 were seized due to serious violations.
“Multiple offences were also recorded, resulting in the issuance of 196 compound notices.
“The most common offence among the detained riders was the absence of a valid driving licence and illegal modifications,” he said.
He added that the department has since summoned the parents of the two underage riders and is considering further legal action against them for allowing their children to engage in illegal racing.
“We may take further action in collaboration with other enforcement agencies against parents who neglect their responsibilities and allow their children to engage in such activities,” he said.
-NewStraitsTime