M'sia police order 50 road users to hold their ears & do squats during anti-racing operation

A group of road users in Kuching, Malaysia was forced by local police to do squats, seemingly as a punishment during an anti-racing operation on Mar. 2.

A clip of the unusual punishment was shared to the 古晋大小事 Kuching Talk Facebook group the same day.

The group of at least 50 individuals, many of whom appeared to be youths, stood in rows and performed squats while holding onto their ears.

They could be heard counting to 10 in unison as police personnel supervised the proceedings.

26 motorcycles seized for illegal modifications

According to Malaysian newspaper Utasan Borneo, a police operation was held along Kuching Airport Road on Mar. 2, 2025 at night to crack down on illegal racing.

Kuching district police chief Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said that during the operation, which lasted from 10:30pm to 2am, police inspected 168 motorcycles and 10 cars.

Of the 168 motorcycles, 26 were seized as they had illegal modifications, Farhan said.

Police also issued 396 summonses to 182 individuals for various traffic offences.

Farhan said the operation, which will be held from time to time, aims to combat street gang activities and enforce existing road laws and regulations.

He advised road users, especially motorcyclists, to always drive safely and not get caught up in street gang activities.

Not the first time

This would not be the first time that road users in Malaysia have been made to do squats as penance.

On New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, 2024, 21 Malaysian teens were detained at a Kuala Lumpur police roadblock for cycling recklessly, some of whom did so on modified bicycles.

The teenagers were made to do squats by the roadside before receiving a stern warning by police and told to return home.

Malaysian police said the squats were meted out as punishment "as a form of advocacy and deterrence" for the youths.

Top image from 古晋大小事 Kuching Talk/Facebook