By SCMP’s Asia desk
Copyright scmp
Nine young men have been arrested in Malaysia after a viral video showed a mob of motorcyclists surrounding a car, punching its windows and kicking its doors in a predawn road rage incident near Kuala Lumpur.
Serdang district police chief Muhamad Farid Ahmad said the men, aged 17 to 21, were detained early on Tuesday in raids across Puchong and Shah Alam. Police also seized three motorcycles believed to have been used in the incident.
All nine suspects have been remanded for four days while investigations continue. Authorities said more arrests are likely.
“Police are currently conducting investigations to identify the exact cause of the incident,” Muhamad Farid said as quoted by Free Malaysia Today. “It is estimated that about 20 motorcyclists were involved in this case, and efforts are underway to track down and arrest all of them.”
Police are tracking about 20 motorcyclists who attacked a Perodua Myvi near the Batu 13 Toll Plaza, Puchong yesterday morning.
Video footage shows one rider punching the 52-year-old driver’s side mirror and kicking the door of the vehicle.
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Police said the confrontation took place around 4am on Sunday near the Batu 13 Toll Plaza in Puchong, after the victim – a 52-year-old security guard – pulled over to call the police after spotting a group of motorcyclists behaving erratically on the road.
One biker reportedly approached the passenger window and asked if the occupants were police officers. Fearing the situation was escalating, the driver sped off – only to be chased by the group.
In the 29-second video that quickly circulated online, around 20 bikers can be seen pursuing a Perodua Myvi hatchback. Two of them catch up and flank the car, with one punching the driver’s side window and kicking the door, shattering the side mirror. The driver then slows down to avoid a collision.
The victim filed a police report later that evening, at around 10pm.
Online, the video prompted widespread condemnation. Social media users accused the group of being Mat Rempit – a term commonly used in Malaysia to refer to illegal street racers notorious for reckless behaviour and mob-style intimidation.
“I got swarmed by them just for honking them [because] they were riding slowly, blocking the whole road. They tried to smash my window,” one user commented.
“These Mat riders crowd the toll booths every night, disturbing road users. Sometimes they don’t stop in front of the gantry, and we have to wait for them to move before we can move. The police know all about this, but … I’m too tired to say more,” another wrote.
The case is being investigated under Sections 427 and 279 of Malaysia’s Penal Code, which cover acts of mischief and reckless driving.
Road safety and illegal racing have long been a source of public concern in Malaysia, with Mat Rempit culture frequently blamed for endangering motorists and pedestrians alike. Authorities have occasionally conducted crackdowns, but critics argue enforcement remains sporadic.
