The invisible tax of car dependenceIn most Malaysian cities, owning a vehicle is survival, not choice. Bank Negara Malaysia data shows transport is one of the largest household expenses for low-income families, rivaling food and housing. In cities stretched thin by urban sprawl, slow, safe movement is impossible, forcing the poorest workers to gamble with their lives. Mat rempits’ cultural roots are spatial: we built cities that behave like racetracks without providing enough plazas or parks. When the only open space is a highway, it becomes social space, with tragic consequences.