New highways are dream racing circuits for Mat Rempit

 

Congratulations to the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) for approving and supervising the construction of two brand new racing circuits in the Klang Valley.

In case readers are wondering or are bewildered about what I am referring to, please go and try them out yourselves.

I’m talking about the Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang elevated expressway or SUKE, located between Cheras and Ulu Kelang, and the Damansara – Shah Alam elevated expressway or DASH, connecting Damansara, Subang and Shah Alam.

These new expressways are indeed appropriately named: one is a racing circuit that you might like and the other a racing circuit that you can dash through if you are in a great hurry.

Phase 1 of SUKE was opened late last month and DASH last week. SUKE was toll-free until last week and DASH until Nov 30.

You can find many Mat Rempit trying them out every night, and having a heck of a good time.

These two new “racing circuits” really meet the needs and requirements of Mat Rempit. They are elevated, uncongested, fully lit at night, and offer a smooth ride, being new.

The most attractive characteristic: the twists and turns on the two highways. What a challenge, and joy, those bends and corners provide to these hell riders.

It gives new meaning to the phrase “life in the fast lane”, courtesy of our very own expressway authority. Our racers must be feeling grateful to the caretaker prime minister who officiated at the opening of DASH recently.

If you own a Porsche, Ferrari or Lamborghini and have not tried these two new racing circuits, then you are really out of touch and missing the action.

These two circuits are much better than Sepang, anytime, any day, rain or shine. And on top of it all, DASH is free, until Nov 30!

The curvature of the track must have been designed with racing in mind, for they’re definitely not for lorries or heavy goods vehicles even at reasonably low speeds.

I am sure LLM engineers have tested and verified the many safety aspects and attributes of these two racing tracks. Both are very safe for racing. Racing groups could not wish for anything. It is almost as if the racing gods had answered their prayers or fulfilled their dreams.

But wait. There is another great feature that I must mention. Both tracks have elevated U-turns on both ends, so racers can go round and round, depending on how many laps they wish to race.

Isn’t that brilliant? So, very thoughtful of the authorities, I have to say.

In this racing contest for better tracks and challenges, we are far better and way ahead of Singapore.

But wait. I don’t wish to sound as if I am merely criticising. Let me offer a suggestion or two, as a form of constructive solution to this potential urban disaster or eventual death trap.

In view of the fact that the circuits are here to stay and cannot be dismantled easily, options for its appropriate usage must be decided quickly before tolls are imposed.

There are only two choices for LLM to consider.

First: Leave it to the Mat Rempit (as well as owners of high-powered racing cars) to continue using the tracks for the purpose of racing, especially at night when the weather is cooler. Tolls can still be collected from these groups of users.

But the authorities would have to prohibit other road users from using the two highways as they will be nothing but obstacles to the racers and pose a grave danger to the racers’ lives.

Too many other vehicles will create conflicts and result in high accident rates.

Second: Make it mandatory that only vehicles with four wheels and more (such as 6, 8, 12-wheel vehicles, etc.) can access and use these two highways for the purpose of reducing journey times, but with toll imposed on them.

This second option also means that three-wheelers or two-wheel vehicles (such as motorcycles) cannot access or use these new expressways at all times.

There should be no exception.

In other not so funny words, no racing should be allowed despite the road design replicating a racing circuit.

The two options may sound very mean to different people and different groups of vehicle owners. But if we are serious about tackling the problems of road hogs, road accidents and road deaths, these are the only options available for LLM.

We have to save the lives of the Mat Rempit and at the same time safeguard the lives of the wider group of Malaysians who use tolled expressways.

I definitely prefer Option 2. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.