A 41-year-old woman working as a ride-hailing driver in Malaysia was allegedly assaulted and strangled by four teenage passengers after they reportedly failed to pay for their trip.
The shocking incident took place in Kuala Sungai Baru, Malaysia, at around 12:30am on May 4.
According to local police, the suspects consisted of two 14-year-old girls and two boys aged 15 and 17. One of the teenagers is reportedly still attending school.
The woman had allegedly accepted a booking through an e-hailing application to transport the four passengers from Bukit Rambai to Pekan Kuala Sungai Baru.
However, the journey allegedly turned violent after the group arrived near a forested area.
Teenagers Claimed They Were Waiting For Online Money Transfer
Police said one of the teenagers asked the driver to stop the vehicle after reaching a secluded stretch near Kuala Sungai Baru.
The group allegedly told the driver they were waiting for someone to transfer money into their account so they could pay for the ride.
The woman reportedly became suspicious about the situation and started recording the incident using her mobile phone.
After briefly stepping out, the teenagers allegedly got back into the vehicle before the situation escalated dramatically.
Authorities said three of the teenagers suddenly became aggressive and allegedly attacked the driver.
One of them allegedly struck the victim on the head with a blunt object, while another reportedly strangled her from behind using a cloth.
The attack reportedly happened while the driver was still seated inside the vehicle.
Driver Escaped By Speeding Away From Scene
During the alleged assault, the 15-year-old boy reportedly did not re-enter the vehicle and instead fled the scene.
The remaining teenagers allegedly warned the woman not to resist or contact anyone for help.
Despite the terrifying situation, the driver managed to escape by driving away from the area before later lodging a police report.
She reportedly suffered injuries to her nose, neck, and both hands during the incident and subsequently received medical treatment.
The case has since sparked concern online, especially given the young ages of the suspects involved in such a violent alleged attack.
Four Teenagers Arrested By Malaysian Police
Local authorities later arrested all four teenagers involved in the case.
They are currently being remanded until May 20 while investigations continue.
Police are investigating the matter under laws relating to voluntarily causing hurt using dangerous weapons or means.
If convicted in Malaysia, the offence can carry a jail sentence of up to 10 years, a fine, whipping, or a combination of the punishments.
The case has also reignited discussions about ride-hailing driver safety, especially during late-night bookings involving multiple passengers and isolated destinations.
Many netizens expressed sympathy for the victim online, with some calling for stricter protections and enhanced security measures for e-hailing drivers across the region.