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Proposal to make Mat Rempit a national heritage instead of ‘bak kut teh’ elicits plenty of guffaws online
![](https://focusmalaysia.my/wp-content/uploads/Rempit-Main.jpeg)
AS the bak kut teh a.k.a. herbal pork rib soup national heritage food controversy rumbles on, a netizen has posited a humourous suggestion – let’s bestow the same award onto Malaysia’s very own Mat Rempit!
For the uninitiated, Mat Rempit is pretty much a Malaysian slang for notorious youngsters who participate in hooliganism and illegal activities such as street racing, stunt biking, petty crime and public disturbance using a motorcycle.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), user @thelast_demigod made the sarcastic suggestion that Malaysia celebrates its unique contribution with two-wheeled shenanigans.
Ini yang sepatutnya disenaraikan dalam Warisan Kebangsaan Malaysia, bukan Bak Kut Teh.
Betul tidak, @ikatanmuslimin?
The short and sweet post was accompanied by a sight many Malaysian road users will be familiar with – a young daredevil doing the ‘superman’ stunt in broad daylight on the expressway oblivious to the risk he poses to himself and other motorists.
The tongue-in-cheek post elicited plenty of loud guffaws and similar mirthful comments. Here is a sample:
![](https://focusmalaysia.my/wp-content/uploads/Rempit-SS1.jpg)
Give that these Mat Rempit have been terrorising Malaysian roads for the longest time, some netizens commented that their stunt should be recognised as a “traditional sport”.
![](https://focusmalaysia.my/wp-content/uploads/Rempit-SS2.jpg)
Some went on to suggest that PMX (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) should do his bit to encourage this breed of road users by subsidising them with a petrol allowance in the quest to promote Malaysian motoring sports.
![](https://focusmalaysia.my/wp-content/uploads/Rempit-SS3.jpg)
Some wished this was recognised as an Olympic event.
![](https://focusmalaysia.my/wp-content/uploads/Rempit-SS4.jpg)
Alluding to the Chinese New Village fiasco, another netizen claimed these Mat Rempit, too, should be recognised as a unique facet of the Malaysian landscape and be recognised by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as “a heritage phenomenon”.
![](https://focusmalaysia.my/wp-content/uploads/Rempit-SS5.jpg)
Some regarded these aspiring stuntmen as a national treasure that needed to be protected and nurtured for they are the nation’s future leaders.
![](https://focusmalaysia.my/wp-content/uploads/Rempit-SS6.jpg)
Another netizen also suggested that apart from UNESCO, Malaysia should be reaching out to UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) to recognise the special young talents on their basikal lajak (fixed-gear bicycles that have been heavily modified to include shortened handle-bars and stem or plastic sports rims).
![](https://focusmalaysia.my/wp-content/uploads/Rempit-SS7-830x632.jpg)
In plain and simple words – sans irony – one netizen neatly summed up the point of the post.
![](https://focusmalaysia.my/wp-content/uploads/Rempit-SS8.jpg)
It has to be said that amidst all the polemic and chest beating among politicians over the bak kut teh issue, the above post does make a very succinct point.
Why celebrate something that a good portion of society view as abhorrent? Malaysians might as well celebrate other ‘national traits’ that the country has become renowned for, right? – March 7, 2024
Mat Rempits are definitely part of Malaysia's cultural heritage.
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