Singaporean allegedly batters bus driver for honking at him

JOHOR BARU: A factory bus driver was severely injured after he was allegedly attacked by a Singaporean for honking at and overtaking him.

The 61-year old victim, known only as Teh, claimed the incident took place after the unidentified Singaporean halted the bus near the Kipmart Hypermarket along Jalan Skudai in Tampoi here at around 9.30am Saturday.

"The Singaporean was driving at an extremely slow pace after exiting the Malaysian checkpoint near the Sultan Johor Baru Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex.

"I honked before overtaking his car near the city centre. I believe because of that, the Singaporean got into a rage and trailed my bus, signalling me to stop," he told reporters here on Saturday.

Teh added that when he stopped the bus, the Singaporean got out his car, opened his car boot and took out a bat.

"The driver then starting shouted vulgarities before striking me with the bat, causing me to fall. Blood started oozing from the left side of my head," said Teh.

He added that some workers in the bus helped him by halting a passing car to send him to the hospital.

He also denied retaliating to the attack.

Meanwhile, Johor Baru North OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Khamsani Abdul Rahman said the Singaporean driver was arrested following the incident.

"The Singaporean, who is also in his 60s, claimed the victim hit him first," he said.

Mohd Khamsani added police are investigating the case under Section 324 of the Penal Code for intentionally causing hurt with a dangerous weapon.

He urged motorists to be more patient while on the road, especially during hot weather.