KENINGAU: Police arrested the operator of a backhoe excavator who overturned a Road Transport Department (JPJ) vehicle after he was issued with a traffic summons for not having a driving licence.
District Police Chief DSP Nor Rafidah Kasim (inset) said the 60-year-old local was dissatisfied after being issued the summons.
She said the vehicle was severely damaged in the incident that occurred at Jalan Kepayan Magatang, near Kampung Ambual.
“The Criminal Investigation Division of the District Police Headquarters received a report at 6.32pm and initial investigation showed JPJ Keningau branch staff had detained a suspicious backhoe excavator for inspection.
“The inspection subsequently found that there was an offence committed. When a summons was being issued, the disgruntled driver drove his backhoe to topple the vehicle of the JPJ team, causing damage to it.
“The officer (JPJ) managed to avoid injury during the incident. Police arrested the local male driver and seized the backhoe vehicle,” she said.
She said the case was being investigated under Sections 186/353 and 427 of the Penal Code for obstructing and using criminal force to intimidate civil servants in carrying out their functions and duties.
Nor Rafidah advised the public not to speculate on the viral video of the incident as it would disrupt the police investigation.
A video of the incident that went viral on social media showed three enforcement officials were seen trying to calm down the driver but in vail.
A motorcyclist, believed to be a villager, managed to get into the backhoe and make the driver stop.
