AN e-hailing driver was arrested after he was believed to have outraged the modesty of a female passenger in an incident at Jalan Bakar Batu, Johor Baru, on Tuesday.

Johor Baru south district police chief Raub Selamat said the 33-year-old local man was arrested in the city at 1.30am today.

He said the incident occurred when the 23-year-old victim booked an e-hailing ride to return to her home in Permas Jaya after finishing work at a shopping mall in the city.

“During the journey, the individual had asked the victim several times to sit in the front passenger seat, but the victim refused as she was worried about her safety.

“However, when the vehicle was at Jalan Bakar Batu near the South Key junction, the victim said she had to obey driver’s the request and moved to the front, before she was molested,” he said in a statement today.

He said, however, the victim managed to push the individual away and escaped by getting out of the vehicle, before lodging a report with the police.

Raub said following the arrest of the individual, police confiscated an Oppo mobile phone, keys and a Perodua Alza car that the suspect had used in the incident. The case was being investigated under section 354 of the penal code.

He also reminded members of the public, especially women travelling alone, to be vigilant when using e-hailing services. – Bernama, May 19, 2022.