Malaysia GrabCar driver arrested for allegedly raping female passenger in Selangor

A Malaysian GrabCar driver was arrested at 10pm on Monday (Jun 11) for allegedly raping a  29-year-old female passenger he had picked up. 

The incident happened in Bandar Putra Permai, Seri Kembangan, Malaysia, and the victim was reportedly in a state of drunkenness when she boarded the perpetrator’s vehicle at around 4am, reports The Coverage.

Serdang Police chief, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Megat Mohamad Aminuddin Megat Alias said:

“The police have seized the suspect’s Perodua Myvi car and his clothes.”

ACP Megat Mohamad Aminuddin Megat Alias further commented that the 30-year-old suspect is being investigated under Section 376 of the Penal Code.

The suspect can be sentenced to maximum of 20 years in jail and caned if found guilty. 

Head of Grab Malaysia, Sean Goh said that the company is apologetic for the incident and is willing to assist and provide support to the passenger and her family, as well as cooperate with police and the relevant authorities. 

He added:

“We have zero tolerance policy to any crime and serious misconduct by drivers, and have immediately removed the driver from our platform, pending completion of police investigations.

“I am truly sorry that we have to let our users and community down in this instance and humbly ask our passengers and drivers to please allow us to keep improving the safety and reliability of our service.

“We have in place rigorous face to face driver screening and criminal background checks, and we are committed to keep investing in driver screenings and training and other safety initiatives.”

The victim also told the police that she could not fight off the perpetrator as she was too drunk.