Parents Can Be Fined And Jailed For 5 Years If Their Kids Are Caught Using 'Basikal Lajak'
They can be charged under Section 33 of the Child Act 2001.
By Sadho Ram — 06 Nov 2019, 01:15 PM
Earlier this week, Bukit Aman warned that they will take legal action against parents whose children are caught using 'basikal lajak'
According to Bukit Aman Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department director datuk Azisman Alias, police can charge the parents under Section 33 of the Child Act 2001.
Children getting involved in dangerous cycling activities poses risk to the children themselves as well as other motorists.
"The section provides that it is an offence for parents or guardians for leaving their children without reasonable care and supervision," Azisman was quoted saying by Bernama during a press conference in Bukit Aman on Monday, 4 November.
He added that if convicted, the parents of these kids can be fined up to a maximum of RM20,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both.
Azisman said that as kids under the age of 10 cannot be convicted for an offence, parents would be held responsible for their actions
"Many of the children involved are below the age of 10 and according to the laws we have, we cannot take any action against them other than holding them until their parents or guardians come to collect them," he was quoted as saying by The Star.
Meanwhile, Bernama reported that so far, the only enforcement action the Bukit Aman has taken was to seize the bicycles and issue summonses based on the provisions of the Road Traffic Rules 1959 (LN 166/1959), as well as sections 54 and 112 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
He warned that if they do not act, it's just a matter of time before another case similar to the one in Johor Bahru - where a woman was involved in an accident which killed eight teen cyclists - repeats itself
"There have been eight fatalities linked to this 'mat lajak' issue but I believe there are many cases of broken limbs and injuries that go unreported," The Star quoted Azisman as saying.
"We need to act quickly as these impressionable children could graduate to become 'mat rempit' and street thugs in the future."
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Hannah Yeoh has said that the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development (KPWKM) supports the move that will see legal action be taken against parents
She said that in accordance with provisions under the Child Act 2001, action should be taken to make parents more concerned in protecting the welfare of their children.
"In the Child Act, it is already provided that if parents expose a child to such risks (modified bikes) or if parents do not take good care of the child, action can be taken," Yeoh was quoted as saying by theSundaily yesterday, 5 November.
"If there are issues of child welfare or their basic needs are not addressed, we (the ministry) will strongly support that action be taken so that parents take the welfare of their children seriously."
