Rempit: The One-Wheeled Wonders
Aiman's, a good friend of mine who bends to the left, description of Mat Rempits is "Random little malay guys who 'tune-up' random little motorcycles and ride around the streets.". Its either that or "Do you see those Malay dudes with mullets 'lepak-ing' and smoking outside that shopping complex? Rempit alert!"
Other characteristics of Mat Rempits include the look of despair of a suicidal person, a vocabulary consisting mostly or exclusively of "Eleh..." "Babilah kau..." "Eh...apa jeje ni? apa jeje ni?!" "Wah, spid giler" "Chee-lar-kah-bar-bee-pooh-kee-mark-kau" "Yeee-aaaahhh, aku hebat!" and "Aduh, dah patah dah".
Ever since a few months ago, the word 'Mat Rempit' can be seen all over newspapers and 8pm news. Also included are the various good deeds and the tire-marks of destruction and obstruction left behind by these two-legged, one-wheeled wonders.
"Mat Rempit harasses driver" "...they started surrounding me and threw rocks at my windshield..."
"Man beaten up by Mat Rempits" "...they said my car was blocking their racetrack, then they beat me up..."
"Rempits attack police" "...they became aggressive after a while and started smashing the windscreens..."
Obviously. These midnight bikers have been gravely misunderstood. I bet that they were just teasing the driver by pelting little harmless pebbles at his car. He must have over-reacted and can't even take a joke. In the other case, the guy was blocking their race-track, so he was obviously provoking them. Hah. Different people show their affection for authority differently. So when the Rempits started smashing the police cars up, they were just trying to say "I love you so-o-o much". They are harmless anyway. However, thanks to newspapers which tells the truth in gory detail, these road-loving, windscreen smashin', engine-revvin', Rempits are being made into bad guys.
After a while, some Kementerian something Minister someone genius proposed that rempits be made into a "tourist attraction". The obvious flaw in this proposal is, of course, that we have to compete with war-ridden countries. I mean, sure the Rempits can cause the equivalent of "all hell breaking loose", but tourist would much rather flock to Iraq to see bloodbaths and mangled corpes. So maybe not...
Unless we clear out an entire highway for these Rempits to perform their, usually death-defying (Guess what happens when they are not death-defying), circus stunts. Who wants a T-shirt?
Why stop at a T-shirt when you can also get the Kementerian endorsed 'Tuak Rempit'? Now comes in fruity flavours. Tuak Rempit is a volatile mix of terrapin blood, sugar, and other adrenaline-inducing goodness. It helps Rempits to get pumped up and ready for their suicidal stunts. It also nullifies pains that may occur due to broken or severed limbs, broken necks, cracked skulls, spinal injuries, and death.* These miracle drinks are priced at RM 4.90 per pack. Ah, there's nothing like a hot cup of Rempit goodness.
*Not sold in stores near you. Guaranteed Halal.
Today, Wednesday 13 December, I flipped open a copy of The Star, while still rubbing my eyes, and guess what I found on page 14. "Engaging Mat Rempit with useful activities".
This Kementerian dude, "Deputy Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi", says that all this while we have been seeing Mat Rempits in a negative light. He hopes that the 'kumuniti bestari' can look at their positive side and come up with activities for them. Unfortunately, he did not elaborate further, even though he is the "Deputy *Information* Minister". Fortunately, I will.
The smart-community programme will look at their positive side and come up with activities for them. I don't know what positivity they see in Rempits, but I will tell you what I see. I see road accidents with burning vehicles, or whatever is left of them, and assorted body parts laden all over the street. The burning vehicles will contribute to global warming, pity those kids who are freezing in those third-world countries. Whereas the body part will provide weeks of food for wild rodents and crows. How cute.
Another positive thing about Rempits is that they attack the police and the public. I guess out of 5 cops that they club, 3 might be corrupt and probably deserve t be thought a lesson anyway. 3 out of 5, good enough. Rempits, it is up to you to fight this injustice!
Have you ever been picked on? Is your boss evil? Did someone get away with something bad and there's nothing you can do to them?
Relax, one day, these friendly neighbourhood Rempits might take one of those people out, after, of course, bashing up tons grannies and innocent drivers. But, its worth it, no?
As for activities...
You are a Rempit.
You look to your left. You see some random Kementerian dudes and dudettes waving flags and banners with "Join the smart community today! Make a change!", and "Mari menyertai kumuniti bestari" on them. You understand neither slogans. You conclude that at least one the banners must be in some foreign language, because of the words "smart" and "change", and it promises cleaning drains and helping the needy.
You look to your right. You see a long stretch of road as far as the eye can see, or as far as 1km, whichever comes first. You imagine yourself gulping down Tuak Rempit while speeding past and terrorizing school children and senior citizens. You look at the expressions of fear and abject terror on their faces. Your pants suddenly becomes very tight between the leg area.
You rev the engine of your Kriss 1.2 litre motorcycle.
What will you do?
I also remember Wai Hung telling me that some random Kementerian dude, who might be Hisap... I mean Hishamuddin, said "Rempits are the future leaders of Malaysia".
Imagine that. Imagine Rempits with mullets and ciggarettes in their mouths riding on in front of a crowd while waving the Jalur Gemilang. Wow. Wouldn't that be beautiful?
Thumbs up for UMNO, and their kuminiti bestari. Two thumbs up for Badawi, whom I quote saying "We must educate them, if we cannot fight them, join them." and the vice president of UMNO who said "Nak rempit boleh, but stay in school.", which makes just about as much sense as "Go to the loo, eat some poo-poo, be cool, stay in school."
Rempits, newspapers rely on you for frontpage material. Rempits, you are an example of all that is care-free and good in Malaysia. Rempits, the future of Malaysia is in your hands! You ARE the future of Malaysia.
Now, excuse me while I come up with the lyrics of a song I'm writing entitled "Wawasan 3030" which is due for release in year 2020.
P.S. People have also mistaken me for a Rempit several times with hilarious results, until they find out that my name is Gustave Oon.
Cheers.
*DISCLAIMER*
No Mat Rempits were injured or killed in the making of this blog.