Kelantan MP Praises Convoy’s ‘Rat‑Lane’ Escape

In Kota Bharu, a motorcycle convoy that lacked police permission became the centre of a heated debate after a Kelantan MP praised the riders for slipping through the so‑called ‘lorong tikus’, a narrow back‑street used to dodge traffic and, in this case, police roadblocks. The convoy, organised by local activists, was meant to protest a recent traffic‑fine crackdown, but officials warned it breached public‑order regulations. Rather than condemning the breach, the MP declared the riders’ ingenuity a deserved response to what he called heavy‑handed policing. This comment sparked outrage on social media, with many accusing the representative of encouraging law‑breaking and undermining the authority of the police. The incident highlights a growing tension between grassroots protest tactics and the state’s attempts to maintain order, especially in regions where political loyalties can colour the interpretation of legal compliance. It also raises questions about the role of elected officials in modelling respect for the rule of law, even when they sympathise with public dissent.

For readers, this story illustrates how political rhetoric can normalise defiance of legal norms, potentially influencing public behaviour. It shows that when elected officials openly celebrate unlawful tactics, it may erode confidence in law enforcement and encourage similar actions elsewhere, affecting community safety and civic trust.

The episode underscores a fragile balance between protest rights and public order. If politicians endorse illegal evasion, it could embolden other groups to flout regulations, challenging the police’s capacity to enforce laws uniformly. The incident may also fuel broader debates on decentralised policing and the politicisation of law‑enforcement actions in Malaysia.