A 14-year-old boy drove a car through a residential area in Perai, crashing into two vehicles at separate locations before being stopped by members of the public, police confirmed on 16 September.
Seberang Perai Tengah police chief ACP Nik Aminuddin Raja Abdullah said the incident happened at 4.50pm on 15 September in Taman Chai Leng, Perai, a densely populated neighbourhood on the mainland portion of Penang. A police report was lodged at 8.47pm the same day.
Preliminary investigations found the teenager drove from Lorong Kurau 23 towards Jalan Kurau 1 and first crashed into a car parked on the road shoulder, FMT reported.
He then continued driving and allegedly entered the wrong side of a one-way road at Lebuh Kurau 5, where he crashed into another car travelling in the correct lane. All three vehicles sustained damage in the collisions, though the extent of the damage was not disclosed.
“No injuries were reported,” NST quoted Nik Aminuddin as saying in a statement.
A viral video of the incident circulated on social media, showing the teenager behind the wheel and crashing into a vehicle before bystanders intervened to stop the car. The footage showed members of the public approaching the vehicle to pull the driver out.
The case is being investigated under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving. Under this provision, a first-time offender faces a jail term of up to five years and a fine between RM5,000 and RM15,000.
However, because the suspect is a minor, the case may be handled under the Child Act 2001, which provides for rehabilitation rather than criminal prosecution for offenders below 18. The Attorney-General’s Chambers will determine the appropriate course of action.
Nik Aminuddin urged parents and guardians to monitor their children’s activities and not allow underage children to drive vehicles. He reminded the public that allowing a minor to operate a vehicle is against the law and could endanger other road users.
The incident has drawn attention to the recurring problem of minors driving vehicles in residential areas across Malaysia, with road safety advocates calling for stronger enforcement against parents who allow underage children behind the wheel.
