Sibu, Malaysia: A man is facing legal consequences after a video showing his 11-year-old autistic son driving a car went viral. The incident received widespread attention on social media, prompting local authorities to take swift action.
ACP Zulkipli Suhaili, the Sibu District Police Commissioner, said that police have issued summons to the boy’s father under Section 26 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. This action came after the police managed to locate the child at 6:50 pm on Sunday. The boy and his father were taken to the Sibu traffic police for further investigation.
The police chief revealed that the autistic boy had a documented medical history at the the Psychiatry Specialist Clinic in Sibu Hospital. The child’s condition and his behaviour in the video further complicated the situation and raised questions about parental responsibility and the safety of people with special needs.
The viral video, filmed by a passer-by, was spread on social networks around 3:00 p.m on Sunday. It shows the boy driving alone along Jalan Kampung Nyabor, a busy street in Sibu. The 30-second clip, posted online at 12:15 pm, quickly grabbed eyeballs and sparked reactions and concerns from netizens.
After receiving information about the video, the police acted immediately to locate the boy and his father.
ACP Zulkipli Suhaili highlighted the seriousness of the case in his statement. He noted that allowing a minor and a medically incapacitated person to drive poses significant risks not only to the driver but also to public safety. The police investigation aims to uncover the circumstances that led to the boy driving the car and ensure appropriate action is taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Community reactions to the incident have been mixed. Many have expressed concerns about the child’s safety and well-being. Some called for more attention and support for families with autistic children and highlighted the need for resources to help parents deal effectively with these challenges.
As investigations continue, Sibu Police has urged the public to immediately report similar incidents to help protect the community.