A ride-hailing driver in Johor Bahru who was accused of making unwanted physical advances towards a female passenger has reportedly been identified as a school teacher, prompting concern from both the public and education authorities. The case has attracted widespread attention online after videos of the incident circulated on social media platforms.
According to Chinese-language media reports, the man is believed to be teaching at a Chinese primary school in the Johor Jaya area. The school’s management has since acknowledged awareness of the allegations and stated that the matter is being treated seriously. However, school representatives have also stressed that confirmation of the individual’s identity is still pending.
The chairman of the school was quoted as saying that once verification is complete, the case would be escalated to the Johor State Education Department for further review and action. Given that the incident allegedly took place outside school premises and involved an off-duty situation, the school said it was unable to draw conclusions solely from the circulating footage.
GRAB AND SCHOOL AUTHORITIES RESPOND
School officials further explained that with more than 100 teaching staff employed at the institution, it was not possible to immediately recognise the individual involved. They added that they are awaiting further confirmation from the school principal before making any official statements or decisions.
Meanwhile, the ride-hailing company involved has moved swiftly to address the incident. Grab Malaysia issued an apology to the affected passenger and confirmed that the driver-partner’s account has been suspended. The company stated that passenger safety remains a top priority and that it is cooperating fully with authorities as investigations continue.
Grab also reiterated that all drivers undergo a screening process before joining the platform, and that additional safety features and monitoring systems are continuously being enhanced. The company emphasised its commitment to maintaining a respectful and secure environment for all users, especially amid growing public scrutiny over transport safety and personal security.
DETAILS OF THE ALLEGED INCIDENT
The alleged incident reportedly occurred during a journey from the Mount Austin area towards a popular waterfront mall in Johor Bahru. Video clips recorded by the passenger show the driver reaching towards the back seat, appearing to attempt to touch her thigh while the vehicle was in motion.
In the footage, the driver can also be heard asking personal questions in Mandarin, including enquiring about the passenger’s age and whether she could speak the language. The passenger did not respond verbally and instead used her hand to block his advances.
In a separate clip, the driver was seen reaching back again, this time allegedly attempting to touch her hand while making a suggestive remark about renting a room together. The passenger firmly rejected the comment. The videos were later uploaded online by a family member, along with screenshots of the driver’s profile details.
The case has reignited discussions in Singapore and Malaysia about passenger safety, ride-hailing regulations, and the importance of robust background checks. For many commuters, particularly women, incidents like these underscore the need for vigilance and stronger safeguards when using private hire services across the Causeway.