BALIK PULAU, June 4 — A lorry driver was fined RM8,000, jailed for one day and disqualified from holding a driving licence for five years by the Magistrate’s Court here today after pleading guilty to two charges of making an obscene gesture and dangerous driving last Thursday.

Magistrate Chia Huey Ting imposed the sentence on Tan Chee Gang, 37, and ordered him to serve six months’ imprisonment if he failed to pay the fine.

Under the first charge, the accused was charged with committing an insulting act by showing an obscene gesture, namely raising his middle finger at a motorist, with the intention of causing fear.

The charge was framed under Section 507B of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum prison sentence of three years, a fine, or both upon conviction.

For the second charge, he was accused of driving in a manner dangerous to other road users and was charged under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Amendment) 1999, which carries a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment, a maximum fine of RM15,000 and disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving licence for up to five years.

Both offences were allegedly committed along Jalan Tun Dr Awang here at 11.27 am on May 28.

The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Ikmal Affandi Zulkifli, while the accused was represented by Yayasan Bantuan Guaman Kebangsaan (YBGK) lawyer Chester.

Chia imposed a RM3,000 fine for the first offence and one day’s imprisonment, a RM5,000 fine, endorsement of the driving licence and a five-year driving disqualification for the second offence. The court also ordered the accused to serve six months’ imprisonment if he fails to pay either of the fines.

On May 30, police arrested the man to assist investigations into an incident involving criminal intimidation and an obscene gesture, the video of which went viral on social media.

In the 58-second video, the accused, who was driving a Perodua Myvi, was seen making an obscene gesture before stopping his vehicle in front of the victim’s car. He then exited the vehicle carrying an object believed to be an iron rod and swung it towards the victim’s car. — Bernama

 

 

 

MARANG, June 4 — A Rohingya man pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate’s Court here today to a charge of dangerous driving causing the death of a motorcyclist on Jalan Kuala Terengganu-Kuantan, near Rusila here, last week.

Shah Dullah Abul Hashim, 20, made the plea after the charge was read out to him before Magistrate Nur Athirah Hashim.

The unemployed man was charged with driving a Proton Saga car dangerously, causing an accident with a Yamaha RXZ motorcycle and the death of Saifullah Isyraf Shamsudin, 27.

The act was allegedly committed at Kilometre 12.5 of Jalan Kuala Terengganu-Kuantan near Kampung Rusila here at 6 pm on May 27.

He was charged under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333/87), which provides imprisonment of between five and 10 years and a fine of between RM20,000 and RM50,000, upon conviction.

The court granted Shah Dullah bail of RM6,000 with one surety, ordered him to report to the nearest police station every month, and set July 8 for mention. — Bernama

 

MALAYSIA: Illegal parking touts remain a persistent problem in Kuala Lumpur, demanding fees from motorists in public spaces without legal authority. Enforcement by DBKL has led to arrests and fines, with offenders jailed under Section 50(3) of the Road Transport Act 1987. 

Lawyers stress that intimidation or vandalism threats can be prosecuted under the Penal Code. Despite crackdowns, social media users continue sharing experiences of feeling pressured to pay these “ulat” touts.

Social media users remain dissatisfied with the authorities’ handling of parking touts. An X (Twitter) user noted that such practices have persisted since the 1990s, questioning what concrete measures are being taken to end them. 

He adds that the real issue lies in prevention, not just sporadic enforcement. Many users also fear retaliation, saying that if an average motorist resists paying, their vehicles risk being scratched or damaged 

Many social media users are directing blame at the authorities for failing to curb illegal parking touts. One commenter argued that enforcement agencies are not doing their jobs properly, which explains why touts remain widespread across Kuala Lumpur. 

The user stressed that the public is not ignorant of the issue, as countless motorists have repeatedly faced harassment and intimidation from these individuals. 

Some have taken a political angle on the parking touts issue, criticising the government for merely informing the public about the problem, as though ordinary citizens could resolve it within days. 

Furthermore, he argued that expecting people to fix a decades‑old issue is unrealistic, especially when enforcement should be the responsibility of authorities. 

Frustration over parking touts continues to grow, with many sharing their encounters online. One account described being confronted by a tout during dinner, only for the individual to be arrested and released the following day.

This is one of the reasons why such leniency discourages the public from taking action themselves. 

At the end of the day, social media users remain unhappy with official remarks on the parking touts issue. Many argue that resolving the problem is the responsibility of local authorities and the government, not ordinary citizens. 

Calls to “boycott” touts are seen as impractical and potentially dangerous, as refusing payment could lead to vandalism of private vehicles or even physical harm. 

This article (Malaysians online say illegal parking touts remain a problem despite enforcement efforts) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.