Several teenagers were detained during an integrated enforcement operation targeting illegal street racing and modified motorcycles along the Duta–Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE) early Sunday morning (Jan 25).
One of those stopped, a 17-year-old rider, said his parents did not object to him being fined, as long as he paid the summons himself. He was issued a summons after authorities found that the exhaust system on his motorcycle had been illegally modified.
“This is actually the third time I’ve been fined. My parents don’t mind as long as I pay it myself. That’s why I work part-time,” he said.
The teenager explained that he and several friends had travelled from their workplace in Wangsa Maju before gathering on the DUKE highway to test a newly installed exhaust system.
“I came here just to test the new exhaust and show it to my friends. Maybe I was just unlucky and got caught,” he added.
Another teenager claimed he initially went to the area only to test the speed of his motorcycle and not to take part in a race. However, he admitted that he eventually accepted a challenge from another rider.
“I wasn’t planning to race at first. I just wanted to see whether the bike was fast or not. But someone provoked me, so I took up the challenge,” he said.
He also revealed that the motorcycle belonged to his father, who had given it to him after purchasing a new one. The teen acknowledged that the bike had undergone minor modifications.
Despite that, he said he was worried about informing his father of the incident.
“My father is very strict. I don’t know how to tell him I was detained. I honestly regret it. If I hadn’t gone out that night, none of this would’ve happened,” he said.
The operation was conducted by the Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT), with between 400 and 450 motorcycles inspected. The enforcement, which began around midnight, resulted in the seizure of 83 motorcycles for various offences.
Six individuals were arrested under Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving, while a total of 343 summonses were issued for offences including riding without a valid licence and other traffic violations.
Authorities said the operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal street racing, dangerous riding behaviour and unauthorised vehicle modifications on major highways.
