By SARBAN SINGH

SEREMBAN, MALAYSIA: Illegal racing is an offence even if it does not cause injuries to other road users or damage to public property, a magistrate ruled.

Marsilawati Mohamad Shah said the court could not be lenient with Mat Rempit and they must be dealt with accordingly.

"The court's responsibility is to deter the people from wrongdoings or actions which can endanger others or themselves. Illegal racing is an offence and should be dealt with accordingly," she said.

Marsilawati said this before sentencing 23-year-old Saiful Irwan Rubu from Taman Desa Permai in Port Dickson to two years' imprisonment and RM7,000 fine for riding his motorcycle in a reckless manner.

She said the accused would have to serve an additional six months in jail if he was unable to pay the fine.

Saiful was found guilty of committing the offence at 6.35pm along Persiaran Senawang 1 and between Taman Matahari Heights and Taman Seri Pagi on Feb 12, 2006. He was 19 at the time of the offence.

He was charged under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. The maximum penalty for the offence is five years' jail and a fine of between RM5,000 (S$2061) and RM15,000, and a two-year suspension of the driving licence.

Counsel for Saiful, Bakhtiar Hamdan, told Marsilawati that his client wished to appeal the decision.

Prosecuting officer Chief Insp M. Shanmugavel then asked the court to set a high bail as there were many cases where people had jumped bail.

Marsilawati set bail at RM8,000 with one surety pending the appeal. However, the accused failed to post bail.