Uber driver fined for fighting

He was upset with client for wrong address

KUALA LUMPUR: An Uber driver got into a fight with his client after he was given the wrong pick-up address, causing him to be punched twice on the cheek.

Yesterday, Chang Seow Kiat, 43, pleaded guilty and was fined RM300 in default four months’ jail by magistrate Mahyudin Mohmad Som.

He was earlier accused under Section 160 of the Penal Code of quarrelling and fighting with Erik Ong Kok Seng, 30, at a public place in Taman Tun Dr Ismail here at 7am on June 15.

Based on the statement of facts, Chang was in the area that day when he received a message via the Uber app from a client named “Eric O” for a ride to KLIA2. The address given was Lorong Burhanuddin Helmi 6.

Upon reaching the house, Chang had called Ong thrice to confirm if the address was correct but received no reply.

After five minutes of waiting he rang the doorbell, only to be told by the woman inside that she had not asked for the service.

Chang then decided to wait for several minutes more in his car when a man – Ong – living next door told him that he had asked for Uber.

After they had started on their journey, Ong asked Chang to stop the car at a petrol station in Pinggir Zaaba.

They then got out of the vehicle, after which an exchange of words ensued leading to Chang being punched on the cheek twice and falling to the ground.

In mitigation, Chang, who was unrepresented, said he had not intended to commit the offence and that he had no fixed income.

He also said he had to support his wife, a 15-year-old child and his aged mother. He paid the fine.