The Road Transport Department (JPJ) detained 17 people, including a student sitting for the SPM examination, in an overnight operation against illegal racing in Kuala Lumpur that ended at about 4.30am on Sunday (Nov 15).
The Form Five student, from a secondary school in Petaling Jaya, was detained for performing a wheelie on a public road. He told reporters that he had done it for fun and had not realised JPJ officers were watching.
He is being investigated under Section 42A(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for taking part in speed trials on a public road.
JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said eight of those detained were being investigated under Sections 42A(1) and 42A(2) of the Act, while the other nine were held over extreme motorcycle modifications, which would be investigated under various provisions depending on the offence and the danger posed.
Officers inspected 1,387 motorcycles during the operation, which began on Saturday and covered several locations in the city, and everyone detained was taken to Jalan Sultan Ismail for further checks, he said.
Aedy described the operation as a proactive step against high-risk riding and driving that endangers other road users. The special operation against illegal racing began on Oct 25.
Section 42A, which came into force on Oct 16 under the amended Road Transport Act, makes racing or speed trials on public roads a specific offence, so the authorities can act without waiting for a crash, injury or death. A first conviction carries a fine of RM2,000 to RM10,000, up to two years’ jail, or both.
Members of the public can report illegal racing to JPJ through the MyJPJ app or by email, and may be called to help with investigations.