A 36-year-old lorry driver, K. Kanapathi, was fined RM100 by the magistrate’s court today after pleading guilty to a road rage offence on the Damansara-Puchong Expressway.
Magistrate Muhammad Syafiq Sulaiman imposed the fine under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act, which carries a maximum penalty of RM100, after Kanapathi admitted to acting in an insulting manner intended to provoke a breach of peace. The incident occurred at about 5.25pm on February 7 at a highway toll plaza, when Kanapathi reportedly shouted profanities and hurled a traffic cone at a foreign motorist, Daniel Owen Flower, during a confrontation.
In court, defence lawyer Muhamad Saifullah Muhamad Azmi said Kanapathi, a father of two earning RM1,500 a month, regretted his actions and promised not to repeat them. “The incident happened after the victim allegedly flashed his middle finger. My client lost his cool, knows he broke the law, and apologises to the court,” he said, requesting a minimal fine in view of Kanapathi’s early guilty plea and clean record.
Co-lawyer M. Partiben noted that Kanapathi had already spent two days in remand, which served as a lesson. Before sentencing, the magistrate issued a stern warning, urging the driver to control his emotions and exercise caution on the road. The RM100 fine, if unpaid, would result in seven days’ imprisonment.
Deputy public prosecutor Muaz Khawarizmi Azfar said the sentence was proportionate and would serve as a lesson. Kanapathi’s wife paid the fine, and he was released from custody shortly after.
Following the court proceedings, Kanapathi intends to file a police report against Flower for allegedly flashing him during the incident. Authorities previously reported that the confrontation stemmed from a misunderstanding when Kanapathi attempted to enter the Touch ‘n Go lane and nearly collided with a Perodua Myvi, whose owner recorded the incident on a dashcam.
