KUALA LUMPUR: Ali (not his real name) would be lying if he said he hadn't been tempted to become a street racer.
However, he counts his blessings that he joined the police force before life took him down another path.
Ali, in his 20s, is a member of Skuad 42, the City Traffic Police's elite team of policemen entrusted with infiltrating motorcycle racing gangs, breaking up their races and tracking down offenders.
He said his passion for motorcycles began at age 13, when he first learnt how to ride motorcycles.
The racing bug bit him and he eventually turned into a speed demon, zooming down highways at top speed to get that adrenaline rush.
"I used to watch illegal races on highways.
"I watched how these riders would pull off crazy stunts. But even then, I realised that they were putting not only themselves at risk but also that of other road users," he told the New Sunday Times.
Ali joined the police force in 2016. He soon learnt of the force's anti-mat rempit squad, and due to his passion for motorcycles, decided to join two years later.
Ali counts himself fortunate to have been given a place in the elite squad, as he is now able to directly deal with the problem of reckless driving.
He said the knowledge that what he did prevented road accidents and possibly save lives helped him immensely.
As a member of the squad, he usually sees action after midnight, especially on weekends and public holidays when the bikers gather for their illegal street races.
When not on the road, Ali would spend his time gathering information on racers' activities and maintaining his trusted ride, a Yamaha 125Z.
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Ali said he's had his fair share of close calls.
"I once tailed a gang of mat rempit right up to their neighbourhood, only to realise that I was surrounded.
"The parents of these bikers came out of their houses and threatened me for following their children."
Ali said, fortunately for him, back-up arrived before things escalated. The squad members managed to apprehend the motorcyclists, he added.
He said there had also been times when traffic offenders turned violent.
He said some offenders, when cornered, would react aggressively to avoid arrest.
"There was one instance when a police officer, upon stopping a motorcycle, tried to remove the key from the ignition. The officer's hand unfortunately became stuck in the bike's basket.
"The biker saw this as an opportunity and hit the gas, dragging the policeman for several metres, injuring him.
"It goes to show the hazards we encounter and why we must prioritise safety."
He said the youngest traffic offenders he had nabbed were 13 years old.
Ali said he tried to encourage the daredevils to turn over a new leaf and learn from their mistakes.
"Some say they do it for fun, others due to peer pressure. But everyone needs a chance to turn over a new leaf," he said.
Ali said he would continue as a member of Skuad 42 as long as he possibly could.
"Team members come and go, but the spirit of Squad 42 lives on.
"I take pride in what I do and give my all each time, as it could mean the difference between losing a life or saving one."