Women, cash, among 'prizes' for winners of illegal Johor drag race

JOHOR BAHRU — Women, as well as cash, were among the prizes up for grabs for the winners of an illegal car drag race, which was broken up by the Malaysian police at the North-South Expressway near the Skudai toll plaza, southbound on Saturday (Feb 12) night.

After a month-long observation, police launched an operation between 2am and 4am, detaining six drag racers.

Also detained were 107 men and 19 women, aged between 18 and 30.

"The six racers were aged between 22 and 25, while the rest were spectators. Three of the racers tested positive for drugs.

"It is understood that cash, and women, were among the prizes up for grabs for the race winners. Investigations are still ongoing," a police spokesperson told reporters after the conclusion of Operasi Samseng Jalanan in Johor Bahru.

He said investigations showed that races would be conducted along the stretch each weekend between 1am and 4am. The race organisers would also brazenly close off the roads to enable the races to proceed.

"The race would be flagged off by 'track girls', after which participants would race their highly-modified cars between 700 and 900 metres to determine a winner.

"We believe a syndicate is behind this. Investigations are underway to nab the mastermind," he said.

In the operation, police had parked a bus across the lanes to close off an exit route along the highway to ensure that no one escaped the police dragnet.

He said the spectators were given drug tests before being freed on police bail.

"We view this matter seriously as illegal street racing also involves the lives of other road users. The cars run at high speed and pose a danger to others," he said.

The six racers were arrested under Section 42 and Section 81 of Malaysia's Road Transport Act 1987. NEW STRAITS TIMES