KUALA LUMPUR: Mat Rempit beware, the rider next to you might just be an undercover cop.
Federal police believe this is one of their most effective tools in deterring these road menaces.
Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcment Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said his personnel were in a constant battle with these "samseng jalanan" (street thugs).
"Part of our strategy in eradicating them is going undercover.
"Once we get a tip-off, our personnel will go undercover and gather intelligence. Based on the information gathered, we will then conduct operations," he told the New Sunday Times recently.
He said among the hotspots identified were Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Raja Laut, sections of the Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway, Kajang-Seremban Expressway, North-South Expressway, Guthrie Corridor Expressway, West Coast Expressway and the East Coast Expressway, as well as Persiaran Raja Muda Musa in Klang.
Yusri said their personnel were working tirelessly to ensure the roads were safe for all motorists.
"Aside from going undercover and conducting roadblocks, our personnel are also conducting patrols at the popular areas where these Mat Rempit gather.
"Based on our records, a total of 2,241 Mat Rempit were arrested last year.
"We predict the number will be higher this year because up until July, we have already arrested 1,122 Mat Rempit."
Yusri said most of these individuals arrested were between the ages of 16 and 35.
"It is a continuous effort and we conduct Op Samseng Jalanan, Op Motosikal, and Op Didik to deter and raise awareness on how dangerous these activities can be.
"Skuad 42 is also still up and running nationwide. Each state police headquarters has its own Skuad 42 to tackle the 'Mat Rempit' problem."
Skuad 42 refers to an elite team of policemen entrusted with infiltrating motorcycle racing gangs, breaking up their races and tracking down offenders.
The team's code name came from Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987, which is used to investigate the reckless and dangerous antics of these illegal racers.
Yusri urged the public to help them in their efforts to combat the "Mat Rempit" problem.
"Public tip-offs are encouraged as they will greatly help us in our operations."