ALOR GAJAH: A female e-hailing driver was beaten and dragged by teenage passengers near a forest in Kuala Sungai Baru early on May 14 over fare payment.
Alor Gajah OCPD Supt Ahmad Abu Bakarr said the suspects were two boys aged 15 and 17, and two girls aged 14. He said only one of the girls was still in school.
He said the 41-year-old victim picked up the suspects in Bukit Rambai at about 12.30am. He said they wanted to go to Kuala Sungai Baru Town.
"One suspect asked the victim to stop near a forest to look for someone. The suspect claimed he did not have money for an online payment.
"The other three suspects then attacked the victim with solid objects, as well as strangling the victim's neck from behind the driver's seat and threatening her not to call for help," Supt Ahmad said in a statement on Tuesday (May 19).
Supt Ahmad said the victim managed to escape, drove away and later filed a police report. He said the victim suffered swelling, bruises and scratches on the neck.
"A medical examination confirmed that the injuries suffered by the victim were caused by an assault," he said.
He said police arrested all four teenagers that evening. He said the case was being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code.
Supt Ahmad urges members of the public who have information regarding the incident to contact the Alor Gajah District Police Headquarters or the investigating officer, Sergeant Harith Francis Nuang Anak Agan, to assist with the investigation.
