Johor Baru (Malaysia): An express bus passenger who asked to be dropped off after the Sungai Besi toll was slashed by a chopper-wielding bus driver.
The incident occurred at 10pm on Monday when he went to speak to the driver during a break at a rest area in Yong Peng.
Businessman P. Mayakrishnan, 33, who sustained cuts on his fingers said that it was a horrifying moment and all he could think about when attacked was his wife and two young children.
Mayakrishnan said he had purchased a ticket at the Larkin bus terminal here on Aug 4 after confirming with the salesperson that he could be dropped off before Puduraya in Kuala Lumpur.
"The counter staff told me to inform the driver. I was taking my father for medical treatment and was not familiar with Kuala Lumpur," he said, adding that he took the 8.15pm bus.
Mayakrishnan said when he went to speak to the driver about dropping him off, the driver became agitated and started shouting.
"I was upset at being shouted at for no reason, and said that I would lodge a complaint with his company," he said.
Mayakrishnan said, to his horror, the driver grabbed a big chopper that was at the side of the bus door and attacked him.
"I tried to defend myself. But as I turned to get out of the bus, he pushed me down the steps," he said, adding that the driver then slashed him with the chopper, injuring his left hand.
Bystanders and the victim's father tried to reason with the driver, but he merely jumped behind the wheel and got ready to drive off.
Alarmed, Mayakrishnan and his father got back on the bus and continued the three-hour journey to Kuala Lumpur, as they had their luggage on board.
Upon reaching Kuala Lumpur, he lodged a police report and sought treatment at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
When contacted, Batu Pahat OCPD Asst Comm Ibrahim Mohd Aris confirmed that the 26-year-old driver was arrested the following day and has been remanded until Aug 9 to assist in investigations.
He said that the case was being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for causing hurt with a dangerous weapon.
