QuickCheck: Did a group of mat lajak race recklessly along a bridge in Alor Setar?

THE Jalan Telok Wanjah bridge in Alor Setar, Kedah may not be a tourist attraction like the old railway bridge there.

Still, it was in the news recently – unfortunately, for the wrong reasons.

A 20-second viral video shows a group of youths riding modified bicycles recklessly along the bridge, one of them even taking a tumble before picking himself up and riding off again.

It is said that this “mat lajak” incident took place on the bridge recently. Did this happen as claimed?

VERDICT:

TRUE

Bernama reports that Kota Setar police are investigating the incident after the video was brought to their attention.

OCPD Asst Comm Siti Nor Salawati Saad said preliminary investigations found that the incident took place at about 5.30pm on Friday (Sept 13).

“(It involved) eight teenagers riding modified bicycles, commonly known as basikal lajak.

“They were racing among themselves on the Jalan Teluk Wanjah bridge here without regard for other road users,” she said in a statement on Sunday (Sept 14).

While police did not receive any formal reports on the incident, she said the district Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division filed one to conduct investigations under Section 54(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, involving reckless and dangerous use of bicycles.

She also urged anyone with information on the teenagers involved to contact investigating officer Insp Ifzam Mohd Zaini at 012-404 3373 or the Kota Setar Traffic Police Station at 04-732 1222.