
Police arrest suspect in Penang road rage attack involving rotan
Following the arrest, the case is considered solved.
Northeast district deputy police chief, Superintendent Lee Swee Sake, said the suspect was picked up at Persiaran Karpal Singh here about 10.15pm yesterday.
"The suspect is a 37-year-old Malaysian.
"We seized the car and rotan used by the suspect in the case," he said in a statement today.
Lee said the suspect has been remanded for a day today to assist in the investigation.
It was reported yesterday that police had identified the driver involved in a viral incident where a car was struck with a rotan along Jalan Lebuh Pantai.
A 25-year-old man lodged a report about the incident.
The victim claimed the incident occurred at 4pm on Friday while he was driving along the road.
The victim's car was hit by a Perodua Myvi driven by the suspect, a local man.
The suspect then got out of the car, picked up a rotan, and struck the rear door of the victim's vehicle.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
44 minutes ago
- The Star
Cycling safely begins with awareness on the road
Safety in numbers: A group of cyclists travelling along Jalan Kuala Selangor-Jalan Batu Arang. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star PETALING JAYA: Closer collaboration must be made between transport authorities and cycling enthusiasts to ensure that cyclists don't get involved in traffic mishaps, says a road safety expert. Associate Prof Dr Law Teik Hua of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) said the authorities in collaboration with cycling clubs should educate cyclists on the selection of safe routes and group riding etiquette. 'Group cycling should be planned and registered, especially when it involves highways. Mass cycling events should be conducted only with sufficient marshalling and safety measures. 'Consultation with traffic authorities should also be carried out,' he said in an interview. Law was commenting on an incident last Sunday of an altercation between a bus driver and cyclists obstructing a bus lane at KM23 of the Kuala Selangor-Kuala Lumpur road. 'Policy-wise, it would be prudent to ban cyclists from highways and high-speed traffic roads unless they are participating in officially sanctioned events. As much as cyclists must be recognised as legitimate road users, it should not be to the extent of compromising their safety on the road.' Law said a short-term move would be to enforce regulations that determine where cyclists may cycle. 'This includes putting limitations on highways where there are no bike lanes or shoulders wide enough for cyclists to pass safely. 'Highways are built primarily for high-speed motorised traffic. 'A wind blast from a passing lorry or a momentary lapse of judgement of a motor vehicle driver or even the cyclist can have catastrophic consequences,' he added. While it is understandable for cyclists to seek equal rights for the use of roads as other commuters, he said being on roads where speeds exceed 110kph poses a major safety risk. 'They are endangering themselves and other road users. The majority of cyclists may underestimate the risks they subject themselves to when using such roads,' Law said. Malaysian Road and Transportation Safety Association adviser and former president Nik Mohd Salim Nik Mohd Salleh said Malaysian roads are not designed for recreational riding for cyclists, especially when they are in large numbers and move in a convoy. 'When this happens, they may end up hogging traffic as what occurred in the Kuala Selangor incident. The authorities should find ways to enable this healthy activity to be carried out in a safe and controlled environment. 'Perhaps, a road stretch in every district can be dedicated at certain times and days for cyclist to ride with police and local council officials present to oversee their safety.' Road Safety Council of Malaysia executive council member Datuk Suret Singh said cyclists should use safety gear such as helmets at all times, suitable footwear and reflective gear when they ride at night. 'Cyclists riding at night on public roads in mixed traffic should be discouraged due to visibility issues. Cyclists ride at an average speed of 25kph or even lower. Such low speeds travelling with regular or high-speed traffic may leave them prone to mishaps.' Meanwhile, federal police traffic investigation and enforcement department director Commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said cyclists should avoid expressways as fast-moving traffic may pose a serious and potentially deadly threat to their safety. To minimise the risk of accidents, recreational cyclists should ride at parks where such activity is allowed or at residential areas where traffic density is lower, he added. Mohd Yusri said more emphasis is given to overseeing the flow of motorised vehicles on Malaysian roads and that cycling activities are encouraged only during certain time periods or events such as City Hall's KL Car Free Morning held twice a month. He said Rule LN167/59 of the Traffic Sign Rules 1959 states that bicycles, tricycles, rickshaws and animal-drawn carriages are prohibited from entering highways. Comm Mohd Yusri said cyclists should comply with 18 rules under Rule LN165/59 of the Traffic Sign Rules 1959, which among them include the use of hand signals to indicate turning or stopping and to use the safest lane possible that is furthest from fast-moving traffic. 'Highway concessionaires and local councils should put up signboards that clearly prohibit this category of vehicles from expressways,' he added. Those who do not comply with the order can face fines of between RM1,000 and RM5,000, or imprisonment up to a year under Section 70(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.


Focus Malaysia
12 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Confronting cyberbullying with law
Letter to Editor In today's hyper-connected world, the internet has become a powerful tool for communication, education, and work. But behind the glow of our screens lurks a darker reality: cyberbullying — a silent epidemic that's tearing through digital communities and leaving real-world scars. Cyberbullying happens when people use online platforms — like social media, messaging apps, or comment sections — to harass, shame, threaten, or humiliate others. Unlike traditional bullying, it doesn't stop at the school gate or the office door. It follows victims 24/7, invading the one space that should feel safe — their own homes. Malaysia now ranks fifth globally for cyberbullying incidents, according to a 2024 report by IPSOS, as reported in Sin Chew Daily. While this statistic is alarming on its own, what's more concerning is how underreported these cases are. Many victims suffer in silence — especially women and young people — fearing judgment, a lack of legal protection, or simply because there's no clear or effective way to report abuse. The nation was rocked in July 2024 by a tragic case that brought the cyberbullying crisis into sharp focus. On July 5, Malaysians woke to heartbreaking news. A 29-year-old Indian influencer known online as 'Eesha' — real name Rajeswary — was found dead in her family home in Kuala Lumpur after enduring a brutal online harassment campaign. The abuse, which took place largely on TikTok, included doctored photos used as backdrops for live broadcasts and coordinated attacks by trolls who incited mass ridicule. Two individuals were arrested soon after. One was charged with criminal intimidation and released on bail of RM36,000; the other was fined a mere RM100 for public insult. The punishments triggered public outrage, with many Malaysians asking: is that all a life is worth? As Lianhe Zaobao reported, the backlash was swift and overwhelming, and it forced the government to act. Legal reform amid tragedy In December 2024, the Malaysian government introduced a landmark legal reform. For the first time, doxing — the act of publishing someone's personal information online with malicious intent — was officially criminalised under amendments to the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code. Under the new law, anyone who threatens, insults, or defames another person through digital communication can now face up to 10 years in prison. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, quoted in Ta Kung Pao, emphasised that the government is working to define cyberbullying more precisely and ensure that offenders are held accountable. 'It's time we treat online abuse as seriously as we do real-world threats,' he said. The rise of cyberbullying reflects a deeper ethical crisis in our digital culture. As digital sociologist Daniel Trottier notes in the European Journal of Communication, the internet can act as a 'magnifier for moral panic,' turning individuals into targets of a rapidly growing digital mob. Cyberbullying thrives in a digital environment shaped by a dangerous mix of inauthenticity, anonymity, and algorithmic amplification. Offenders often manipulate or falsify images and information to publicly shame or humiliate their targets, as seen in Eesha's tragic case. Hidden behind fake profiles, they exploit anonymity to avoid accountability while unleashing verbal violence without restraint. Making matters worse, social media algorithms tend to boost the most sensational and emotionally charged content — whether true or not — further fuelling online abuse. Although legal frameworks are slowly catching up, experts like Whittaker and Kowalski note that vague definitions and weak enforcement still leave significant gaps in prosecuting digital harassment. As Trottier points out, the imbalance of justice is stark: victims shoulder the emotional and financial burden of defending their rights, while perpetrators often walk away with minimal consequences. Together, these factors create a system where cruelty is easy, and justice is hard to reach. A moral crisis, not just a legal one While the new law marks progress, cyberbullying isn't just a policy issue — it's a moral and cultural challenge. How did cruelty and humiliation become online entertainment? What responsibility do platforms, media outlets, and users bear? Media coverage must also tread carefully. Over-exaggeration or sensationalist headlines can retraumatise victims and inflame tensions. Ethical journalism demands compassion, accuracy, and restraint — especially when reporting tragedies. Social media companies, meanwhile, must go beyond symbolic gestures. They have the power to create ethical algorithms, launch real-time moderation, and provide accessible mental health tools. As the main gatekeepers of today's digital discourse, their accountability is critical. Experts agree that tackling cyberbullying requires more than isolated fixes — it demands a comprehensive, multi-level strategy. Legal reform is a critical first step, and while Malaysia's new anti-doxing law marks important progress, broader legislation is still needed to address the full range of online abuse. At the same time, social media platforms must take greater responsibility, investing in real-time monitoring systems and adopting transparent policies that prioritise user safety over engagement metrics. Education plays a crucial role as well. By embedding digital literacy in schools and community programmes, especially for young users, we can empower individuals to recognise manipulation, think critically, and choose empathy over cruelty. Lastly, support systems must be strengthened — from expanded mental health services to accessible victim support and confidential reporting channels. Only through this layered approach can we begin to dismantle the digital environments that allow online harm to flourish. Digital media scholar Elizabeth Whittaker stresses that education must include not just how to use technology — but how to use it ethically. 'Behind every screen is a person,' she reminds us. 'Empathy must be part of our digital DNA.' —July 1, 2025 The authors are from the Department of Science and Technology Studies, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya Main image: GovTech


New Straits Times
14 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Immigration to investigate marriages of locals and foreigners with big age gaps
KOTA BARU: The Immigration Department will investigate all marriages between locals and foreigners, particularly those with significant age gaps. This is to determine if there were ulterior motives behind the marriages and if they were orchestrated by syndicates. Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said that there have been cases of Malaysian women aged 65 marrying foreign men in their 20s, raising suspicions. "If they marry legally and follow proper laws and procedures, it's not an offence. But what we are concerned about is if the marriage is being used for other purposes, what we call a 'marriage of convenience'. "When you have a 25-year-old foreign man marrying a 60- or 70-year-old woman, there's a significant age gap. "We will conduct thorough investigations to verify whether the marriage is genuine or if it was done for specific benefits," he told reporters at the 2025 Immigration Director-General's Cup Shooting Championship at the Kelantan Shooting Association's range. Zakaria said the department would not approve immigration facilities, such as a spouse visa for foreigners, if investigations revealed the marriage was not legitimate. He added that such marriages were not a new issue but had long existed, and while not illegal if done properly, they posed a social problem. "We need to raise public awareness. If you have elderly family members without anyone to care for them, pay attention so they don't fall victim to syndicates," he said. Recently, the Immigration Department busted a syndicate believed to be offering immigration-related services, including applications under the "foreign spouse of Malaysian citizen" category and marriage registration services via the National Registration Department (NRD) for marriages between Malaysians and foreigners. Zakaria had said the syndicate appeared to target elderly individuals who were often neglected or received no financial support from their families. In most cases, he said, these senior citizens were not required to do anything except agree to the marriage. "In return, they receive monthly allowances amounting to thousands of ringgit, as these foreigners are only interested in securing legal status," he said.