A DASHCAM recording of what appeared to be a frightening road rage incident on a Penang road went viral on Facebook on Friday (May 29), showing a driver getting out of his car and approaching another vehicle carrying a metal rod.
Videos like this have a way of spreading fast, but not every viral clip tells the whole story.
Did this incident actually happen?
Verdict:
TRUE
The incident occurred at 11.27am on Thursday (May 28) at Jalan Tun Dr Awang heading towards Relau in Penang.
A man driving in a compact car suddenly cut in front of the victim's vehicle before making obscene gestures and stopping his car in front of the victim.
He then got out of his car carrying an object believed to be a metal rod and swung it towards the victim's vehicle.
The victim's dashcam recording of the incident was uploaded to social media, particularly Facebook, where it spread widely.
Barat Daya district police chief ACP Anuwal Ab Wahab confirmed the incident and said a 37-year-old local man had been arrested following intelligence and information gathered after the video went viral.
"Investigations found that the incident occurred at 11.27am on Thursday at Jalan Tun Dr Awang heading towards Relau, when the man suddenly cut in front of the victim's vehicle," Anuwal said in a statement on Saturday (May 30).
"The man is believed to have made obscene gestures before stopping his car in front of the victim's vehicle. He then got out of his car carrying an object believed to be a metal rod, and swung it towards the victim's vehicle," he said.
Preliminary urine screening found that the man tested positive for methamphetamine and he had prior records related to drugs and crime.
He has been remanded for three days until May 31 to assist investigations under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation.
