Some say youths participate in illegal racing due to peer pressure, but it appears that some of these mat rempits are in for the cash rewards.
According to Kosmo, it was reported that the bet on illegal races can sometimes reach RM50,000 and mat rempits now think that cikaro or bohsia (women) as rewards are considered low class.
The money will then be spent on buying or modifying motorcycles. It can be a side income for some while the cost of living continues to rise.
It is also reported that many illegal races involve Yamaha Y150 motorcycles compared to Yamaha RXZ or 125ZR as before.
Speaking to the Malay Daily, a mat rempit known as Rafi Jamal, shared that a lot of the bets that involved clubs and workshops are around RM2,000 to RM5,000, while for private races, an entrance fee of as low as RM50 will be imposed.
“There are also races where the rewards are women, but they are considered ‘low class’ because mat rempit does not have enough money to pay.”
“It was only popular in the 90s but mat rempits these day are in for the cash. For the past 10 years, I have spent tens of thousands of ringgit on motorcycles,” he said.
Meanwhile, Halim, a mat rempit from Kota Bharu, Kelantan shared that he earns up to RM6,000 a month just by participating in these illegal races every weekend.
He also said that illegal racing in Kelantan is ‘tough’ because some involve betting money up to RM50,000.
“There was a time where I became addicted to it and did not feel right if I’m not racing. As a result of illegal racing, I was able to buy a Yamaha RXZ for RM5,000 in 2018,” he said.
Halim then share that he used also the cash rewards to modify his vehicle.
“These two years, I rarely join any race. After I was involved in an accident when I was racing from Bukit Keluang, Terengganu to Kelantan. I was in a coma for two days and is now traumatised about riding a motorcycle,” he said.
While in Shah Alam, Selangor, a mat rempit who is known as Mustaqim, said that races typically involve all types of motorcycles and the bet usually starts with RM500.
“For certain categories that involved Yamaha RXZ and 125Z, bets will go up to more than RM10,000,” he said.
Mustaqim then shared that economic factors are among the reason that rewards are more focused on cash prizes than women.
“There is no denying that there are women as reward in the past, where some even include underage girls or school students, as race prizes.”
“However, now mat rempit is concentrating more cash on modifying their motorcycles, especially the engine,” he said.
What do you think about this? Share your thoughts!
