Motorcycle gangs taking on a more sinister image
They started off as groups of pals with a common interest in bikes, but now are linked with fights and secret societies
By Ben Nadarajan
THEY zip around on flashy motorcycles, race each other and talk for hours about their beloved two-wheelers over beer. But motorcycle gangs, or Mat Rempit, are fast losing their fairly tame image here as a more sinister picture emerges.
Last month, six members of the Onyx gang were jailed and caned for killing a 46-year-old technician from a rival gang. Three members are still on the run. Prosecutors called the crime the 'most horrific gang killing in recent years'. That vicious assault in Central Square in September last year - which left the victim with at least 78 wounds - was not an isolated gang clash.
The police said bike gangs in recent years have been involved in a 'handful' of illegal incidents such as fighting in public. They did not give details on how many such cases there have been, but a spokesman said they have increased enforcement action against them.
Some gang members of several bike gangs told The Sunday Times of a violent incident last month when a member's wedding led to a fist-fight with a motorist who had been stuck in traffic because of the convoy of about 100 bikes following the wedding motorcycle.
Bike gangs have been around for more than 20 years. They started as peaceful groups of pals with a common interest in bikes. They would attend race events overseas and undertake long-distance road trips to Malaysia and Thailand.
Back then, there were only about 10 gangs, but this figure has since grown to at least 20.
By Ben Nadarajan
THEY zip around on flashy motorcycles, race each other and talk for hours about their beloved two-wheelers over beer. But motorcycle gangs, or Mat Rempit, are fast losing their fairly tame image here as a more sinister picture emerges.
Last month, six members of the Onyx gang were jailed and caned for killing a 46-year-old technician from a rival gang. Three members are still on the run. Prosecutors called the crime the 'most horrific gang killing in recent years'. That vicious assault in Central Square in September last year - which left the victim with at least 78 wounds - was not an isolated gang clash.
The police said bike gangs in recent years have been involved in a 'handful' of illegal incidents such as fighting in public. They did not give details on how many such cases there have been, but a spokesman said they have increased enforcement action against them.
Some gang members of several bike gangs told The Sunday Times of a violent incident last month when a member's wedding led to a fist-fight with a motorist who had been stuck in traffic because of the convoy of about 100 bikes following the wedding motorcycle.
Bike gangs have been around for more than 20 years. They started as peaceful groups of pals with a common interest in bikes. They would attend race events overseas and undertake long-distance road trips to Malaysia and Thailand.
Back then, there were only about 10 gangs, but this figure has since grown to at least 20.