Man nabbed after video of him bullying special needs person goes viral

KUCHING: Police have arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with a viral video showing a person with special needs being bullied at a stairwell of a premises in Bandar Baru Semariang.

Kuching police chief ACP Ahsmon Bajah told a press conference yesterday the suspect was arrested after a police report on the incident was lodged at 5.36pm Tuesday at the Santubong police station.

In a 56-second video clip, the suspect – wearing a courier company’s uniform – is seen lighting a firecracker and aiming it at the 42-year-old victim who tried to shield himself behind the stairwell.

It is believed the victim, who lives nearby the area, was resting at the stairwell when the incident took place.

After lighting the firecracker, the suspect also pretended to attack the victim with a blunt object that he had picked up from the ground.

Ahsmon said the suspect is currently under a four-day remand and is being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means.

“He is also being probed under Section 286 of the Penal Code for negligent conduct with respect to any explosive substance,” said Ahsmon, adding that a drug test carried out on the suspect came back negative.

Section 324 of the Penal Code provides a jail sentence of three years or a fine, while Section 286 provides a jail sentence of six months and a fine.

Ahsmon also said the person who filmed the incident will also be called in by police to assist in the probe.

“We are still investigating the motive behind the case and call on the public to refrain from making any speculations on the case. The important part is that we have managed to solve the case in less than six hours.”

Ahsmon also thanked netizens for viralling the video, saying it had helped lead to the swift arrest of the suspect.