Malaysian police are searching for the driver of a Singapore-registered car that was caught on video ramming into a food stall in Johor Bahru after an earlier confrontation with a customer.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sept. 28 at a porridge stall in Taman Sentosa, Johor Bahru. Police received a report at about 2.27am from a 41-year-old technician who said he was eating at the stall when the suspect approached him carrying an iron pipe.
The man reportedly swung the pipe toward the customer, who managed to avoid being struck. Members of the public then intervened, prompting the suspect to return to his vehicle. Police said the man appeared to be intoxicated at the time.
The suspect then drove the Singapore-registered car into the food stall, striking tables and chairs before speeding away. Video footage circulating online shows a white car driving through the dining area as people nearby react and move away from the vehicle.
Police are treating the incident as a dangerous-driving case under Section 279 of Malaysia’s Penal Code. If convicted, the offence carries a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both.
The case is also being investigated under Section 324 read with Section 511 of the Penal Code for allegedly attempting to cause hurt using dangerous means. That offence carries significantly heavier potential penalties, including imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine, or other penalties provided under the law.
Authorities have not publicly identified the driver, and police said efforts to locate the suspect are ongoing. Members of the public with information have been asked to contact the Johor Bahru South district police headquarters.
Police have also urged people not to circulate the video further, warning that sharing footage without context could fuel misunderstandings or speculation and affect community harmony.
The incident has drawn attention because of the Singapore registration of the vehicle and the dramatic footage showing the car crashing through the stall. However, the registration plate alone does not establish the driver’s nationality or identity.
For now, the investigation remains focused on identifying the driver and establishing the circumstances that led to the confrontation, the alleged threat with the iron pipe and the subsequent collision with the food stall.
The case could also highlight the challenges authorities face when incidents involving Singapore-registered vehicles occur in Johor Bahru, a major destination for cross-border travel between Singapore and Malaysia.
