PM announces programme to rehabilitate illegal racers

PUTRAJAYA: A new programme, dubbed "Remaja Perkasa Negara", is to be implemented most probably next January to rehabilitate illegal motorcycle racers widely known as "Mat Rempit", Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today.

He said the programme, to come under the ambit of the Permata Negara programme, would handle young people between 18 and 25 years old at high risk of getting involved in social problems.

"The programme is not aimed at penalising these youngsters but to rehabilitate them so as to be more capable and confident," he told reporters after chairing a Permata Negara committee meeting, here.

Also present was Najib's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, who is Permata Negara patron.

Najib said the Remaja Perkasa Negara would incorporate a social service programme for young offenders penalised to carry out community service.

"The offenders will be required to carry out not only community service but also undergo monitoring, mentoring and other activities which have a more positive impact on them.

"The pilot project will involve 50 youngsters who are repeat offenders, and the court can issue an order for them to participate in the programme," he said.

They would initially undergo a camp-based intervention programme for between two weeks and six months to shape them up in terms of leadership and self-empowerment, he said, adding that the programme would exclude those found to be involved in drug activities.

Najib said sending "Mat Rempit" to jail would only expose them to hardcore criminals and make them commit more serious crimes.

Today's meeting also decided to establish a "Permata Pintar" centre at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) to accommodate gifted students, and which was expected to begin operations in 2011.

A total of 405 students had been selected to participate in a camp during the first term school holidays.

The meeting also discussed the "Permata Seni" programme which would have a choir group of 33 people work on establishing a name for themselves at the international level.

It also discussed the "Permata Insan" programme for pupils aged nine to 12 in religious schools to be educated as professionals with an in-depth knowledge of religion.