SUNGAI PETANI: An e-hailing driver faced a terrifying moment when he was stabbed by a 13-year-old boy near Taman Keladi here on Monday.
The 65-year-old driver, however, escaped unharmed after turning the tables on the teenager by biting the juvenile's arm, forcing the boy to flee.
Kuala Muda district police chief Zaidy Che Hassan said the incident, which occurred around 5.43 pm, started when the driver picked up a passenger in Taman Keladi for a drop-off in Bandar Sri Astana.
During the journey to Bandar Sri Astana, the passenger asked if he could borrow RM50 to pay rent.
"The passenger was informed that if he didn't have the money, he would have to be dropped off at that location. However, the passenger refused and asked the driver to take him to his house in Bandar Sri Astana for him to get the money to pay for the ride.
"However, upon arriving in Bandar Sri Astana, the boy requested to be driven back to Taman Keladi. The elderly driver received a payment of RM18 before the teenager delayed the process, taking him through several lanes," he said in a statement today.
Due to the additional routes, the teenager was then asked to pay an additional RM9 upon reaching the destination.
"The passenger gave RM20, but when the driver tried to return the change, the teen threatened to stab the driver's left chest, in an attempt to snatch money from his pocket.
"The elderly driver acted swiftly by grabbing the knife and biting the teenager's hand in self-defense, causing the boy to flee," he added.
Zaidy said that the elderly driver did not suffer any injury during the incident.
Video footage of the incident showed the boy attempting to stab the driver but the tip of the knife struck the seatbelt instead.
He said it is understood that the teenager is the eldest of four siblings and comes from an intact family.
"The motive behind the suspect's actions was his anger towards the driver for being scolded, which made him attempt to reclaim the fare.
"There is footage recorded through the 'dashcam' installed in the e-hailing vehicle," he added.
Zaidy said a report was filed around 8pm, and the teenager was detained two hours later.
He said that a 25-centimeter-long knife carried by the teenager was also seized.
The case is being investigated under Section 393 of the Penal Code for attempted robbery.