A man who went viral after allegedly making an obscene gesture towards another motorist during a road rage incident has been sentenced to one day in jail and banned from driving for five years.
Tan Chee Gang, 37, pleaded guilty at the Magistrate’s Court to two charges — making an insulting obscene gesture and dangerous driving.
According to court documents, the lorry driver was accused of raising his middle finger at a 59-year-old motorist with the intention of causing alarm and distress. The incident occurred along Jalan Tun Dr Awang at approximately 11.27am on May 28.
For the first offence, Chee Gang was charged under Section 507B of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.
He also admitted to driving a Perodua Myvi in a manner that endangered other road users at the same location and time.
The second charge was brought under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Amendment) 1999, which provides for a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to RM15,000.
During proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Ikmal Affandi Zulkifli urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence to serve as a lesson to both the accused and the public, highlighting the dangers such behaviour poses to other road users.
Magistrate Chia Huey Ting subsequently imposed a RM3,000 fine for the obscene gesture offence and a RM5,000 fine for dangerous driving. The court also ordered Chee Gang to serve one day in prison.
In addition, the court disqualified him from holding or obtaining a driving licence for a period of five years.
Chee Gang, who was represented by a lawyer from the National Legal Aid Foundation, appealed for leniency and told the court that he regretted his actions.
The case gained widespread attention after a 58-second video circulated online showing a driver allegedly cutting in front of another vehicle before making an obscene gesture. Reports also claimed the suspect displayed an object believed to be a metal bar during the confrontation.
Police later arrested the driver following the viral incident, leading to the charges brought before the court.
