A 56-year-old e-hailing driver endured a terrifying ordeal after allegedly being assaulted by three male passengers believed to be intoxicated during a trip in Skudai earlier this week.
Iskandar Puteri District Police Chief ACP M Kumarasan said police became aware of the incident after a nine-second video related to the case went viral on Facebook.
Authorities also received a police report from the victim, a local man, at approximately 11.09am on June 10.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the incident occurred on June 9 at around 9.30pm after the driver picked up three male passengers believed to be foreign nationals.
“While travelling, the victim reprimanded the passengers because they were allegedly intoxicated and causing a disturbance inside the vehicle,” Kumarasan said in a statement on Friday.
The suspects are believed to have become unhappy with the warning and subsequently assaulted the driver.
The incident reportedly took place in the Taman Tan Sri Yaakob area of Skudai.
Police are currently working to identify and locate the three suspects, who remain at large.
The case is being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt and Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation.
Kumarasan stressed that police would not compromise with individuals involved in criminal acts or behaviour that threatens public order and safety.
“We will take firm action against anyone found committing offences that endanger the community,” he said.
Earlier, a video circulating on social media appeared to show the e-hailing driver being grabbed by the neck by a foreign man.
The victim was also seen with injuries around his eye and reportedly suffered bleeding from his mouth during the incident.
Police have urged anyone with information regarding the case to contact the Iskandar Puteri District Police Headquarters Control Centre at 07-5113622 or the police hotline at 07-5114486 to assist investigations.
The suspects have yet to be arrested, and investigations are ongoing.
