Recently, a photo of a 13-year-old boy driving a car with a man seated beside him shocked netizens and went viral online.
The photo quickly caught widespread attention, leading to a police investigation that revealed the adult man is the boy’s guardian.
The event occurred at around 5:30 PM on a Sunday evening at Taman Perling, a recreational park in Johor Bahru, where the guardian was teaching the young boy how to drive.
Guardian Faces Hefty Charges
The Johor Bahru South Police District was alerted to the situation after the photo was shared on the Facebook group “JB TRACER II: Johor Bahru Traffic, Crime & Community Service Report 2” around noon yesterday.
Under the leadership of Assistant Commissioner Rabu, the police confirmed the authenticity of the viral photo and the details of the incident.
The investigation is proceeding under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which addresses neglect and the act of exposing a child to potential physical harm. The guardian faces a hefty penalty if convicted, including a fine up to RM50,000, up to 20 years in prison, or both.
Additionally, the guardian could face charges under Section 39(5) of the Road Transport Act 1987, risking a fine not exceeding RM2,000, up to six months in prison, or both. This incident has sparked a widespread conversation on child safety and the responsibilities of guardians, underscoring the importance of protecting minors from harm.
