The incident has sparked widespread discussion after a video of a motorcyclist being slapped at a petrol station in Taman Perling, Johor, on 11 January went viral on social media. Police said the incident took place during a traffic operation last Sunday. 

Johor police chief CP Datuk Ab Rahman Arsad said it could have been an immediate reaction. The accused policeman was on leave at the time but was called in to assist in the operation due to manpower shortages. The police registered the matter on their own initiative and started an investigation.

Background to the Operation

Police said that at the time, the North Johor Bahru district police were conducting an operation to crack down on illegal motorcycle racing or ‘mat rempit.‘ The police officers participating in the operation tried to stop the suspected motorcycle.