Mat Rempit
When i was 15, my mum always shouted to me everytime i used my bro's motocycle. You wanna know why?..it wasn't because she didn't allow me to ride, but she didn't want me to race or whatever. If i am not mistaken, there was no such term used for motorist in late 90's but now we have a special term for malaysian motorist especially the youngtest. People always say Terengganu is the root!, the founder or " menggasas skills" mat rempit ni.. You don't believe this, alright. go to Youtube, search for Mat Rempit and you will found a list of Terengganu's mat rempits.
Obviously the Malaysian government has failed the Malay community. Twenty years ago, Malays had one major problem, drug abuse. Now we have three problems - the worsening drug abuse, the high unemployment rate among Malay graduates and the Mat Rempit (biker gangs) problem. I still remember, everytime my Bahasa Melayu's teacher asked to write an essay about major problems in Malaysia, the fav topics either drug abuse, incest, accidents or whatever but not Mat Rempit.
Why are things getting worse, not better? The Mat Rempit problem is a new problem caused by government indifference towards Malay youth. These Mat Rempit are disillusioned Malays who have been unable to squeeze themselves into narrow definition of success prescribed by the government. These Malay bikers go around in groups of several hundred, shouting obscenities at passers-by and damaging luxury cars such as BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes.
Obviously, there is a an anti-establishment sentiment, perhaps from viewing the government as having failed them. Why the failure? The government has failed to provide ‘financial security’ for those who fall by the wayside and those who do not measure up to the employment market's expectations. This is because of:
1. The rigidity and difficulty in obtaining an education - strict rules for entry, only one route permissible, limited number of places, etc, make obtaining a place in university a nightmare.
2. Encouraging strict observance of Islamic behaviour in local universities - this results in local university graduates being unable to blend into the workforce, especially in the private sector. The government is being irresponsible by inculcating ‘Islamic’ values into local university students when the actual lifestyles of the rich and influential in Malaysia are ‘secular’. Thus, local university students become disadvantaged.
3. A lack of a minimum wage legislation means that youths who ‘fall off the horse’ have a problem getting back on. This makes drug abuse and Mat Rempit escapism all the more appealing. Youths who fail to gain entrance into university or secure jobs with well-paying employers such as banks, will see no light at the end of the tunnel in that they are unable to get married, start a family, buy a home, a car, etc.
4. A lack of low-cost business opportunities. Malays tend to go for low capital businesses such as ‘pasar malam’ stalls, food business, etc. However, competition for stall lots has become so stiff that most walk away empty handed.
Obviously, there is no incentive for developers to build stall lots as there is very little profit. Developers prefer to build luxury apartment blocks, luxury shopping complexes, etc. Realistically, only the government can afford to build more stall lots for these Malay entrepreneurs.
Clearly, the government has failed the Malays.
Obviously the Malaysian government has failed the Malay community. Twenty years ago, Malays had one major problem, drug abuse. Now we have three problems - the worsening drug abuse, the high unemployment rate among Malay graduates and the Mat Rempit (biker gangs) problem. I still remember, everytime my Bahasa Melayu's teacher asked to write an essay about major problems in Malaysia, the fav topics either drug abuse, incest, accidents or whatever but not Mat Rempit.
Why are things getting worse, not better? The Mat Rempit problem is a new problem caused by government indifference towards Malay youth. These Mat Rempit are disillusioned Malays who have been unable to squeeze themselves into narrow definition of success prescribed by the government. These Malay bikers go around in groups of several hundred, shouting obscenities at passers-by and damaging luxury cars such as BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes.
Obviously, there is a an anti-establishment sentiment, perhaps from viewing the government as having failed them. Why the failure? The government has failed to provide ‘financial security’ for those who fall by the wayside and those who do not measure up to the employment market's expectations. This is because of:
1. The rigidity and difficulty in obtaining an education - strict rules for entry, only one route permissible, limited number of places, etc, make obtaining a place in university a nightmare.
2. Encouraging strict observance of Islamic behaviour in local universities - this results in local university graduates being unable to blend into the workforce, especially in the private sector. The government is being irresponsible by inculcating ‘Islamic’ values into local university students when the actual lifestyles of the rich and influential in Malaysia are ‘secular’. Thus, local university students become disadvantaged.
3. A lack of a minimum wage legislation means that youths who ‘fall off the horse’ have a problem getting back on. This makes drug abuse and Mat Rempit escapism all the more appealing. Youths who fail to gain entrance into university or secure jobs with well-paying employers such as banks, will see no light at the end of the tunnel in that they are unable to get married, start a family, buy a home, a car, etc.
4. A lack of low-cost business opportunities. Malays tend to go for low capital businesses such as ‘pasar malam’ stalls, food business, etc. However, competition for stall lots has become so stiff that most walk away empty handed.
Obviously, there is no incentive for developers to build stall lots as there is very little profit. Developers prefer to build luxury apartment blocks, luxury shopping complexes, etc. Realistically, only the government can afford to build more stall lots for these Malay entrepreneurs.
Clearly, the government has failed the Malays.
posted by Love Is Love @ 9:07 PM
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