Kuala lumpur: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has been directed to initiate a major crackdown at Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (LTSIP) following reports of reckless motorcyclists, locally known as mat rempit, using the area in front of the departure terminal as a makeshift racing track.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Transport Minister Anthony Loke expressed significant concern over the activities, labeling the situation as troubling and embarrassing. He has instructed the JPJ Enforcement Director to execute a large-scale operation to address the issue. Loke emphasized that any motorcyclist caught in the act of racing would face immediate confiscation of their vehicle.

Loke highlighted the Federal government's investment of nearly RM450 million in upgrading the airport, aiming to improve air connectivity for Kelantan, stimulate socio-economic development, and attract more tourists to the state. He stated that the actions of these motorcyclists jeopardize traveler safety and compromise the region's economic interests.

Additionally, Loke urged Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to enhance security measures to prevent further incidents around the terminal. Previous media reports indicated that the front area of the departure hall at the new LTSIP terminal in Pengkalan Chepa, operational for less than a month, had been used repeatedly as a racing track by mat rempit. This activity reportedly began during Ramadan and persisted into the previous Friday night, gaining public attention through videos shared by travelers on social media.