Foreign Man Arrested for Scratching 8 Cars

Foreign Man Arrested for Scratching 8 Vehicles at The Exchange TRX, Kuala Lumpur
A 34-year-old foreign national was arrested on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, for allegedly scratching eight vehicles parked near The Exchange TRX in Kuala Lumpur, with estimated damages reported at RM3,000 for a single affected vehicle. The suspect, described as a homeless individual, was detained on the same afternoon near the TRX area and is believed to have mental health issues, according to Dang Wangi District Police Chief Superintendent Nuzulan Mohd Din.
This vandalism case, reported by Careta on 10 September 2026, involves deliberate damage to parked vehicles in a prominent Kuala Lumpur commercial district. The incident highlights concerns about vehicle security in urban parking areas and the legal consequences under Malaysian law, specifically Section 427 of the Penal Code, which addresses mischief causing damage.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
| Incident Date | Wednesday, 9 September 2026 |
| Location | Parking area near The Exchange TRX, Kuala Lumpur |
| Number of Vehicles Damaged | 8 vehicles |
| Reported Damage (Single Vehicle) | RM3,000 (bonet/scratch damage to a Zeekr 7X) |
| Total Police Reports Received | 11 reports (including 3 from TRX management) |
| Suspect Age | 34 years old |
| Suspect Profile | Foreign national, homeless, believed to have mental health issues |
| Weapon Used | Blunt object |
| Remand Period | 4 days (Thursday to Sunday) |
| Legal Section | Section 427, Penal Code (mischief causing damage) |
| Mental Examination | To be conducted at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) |
| Reporting Officer | Superintendent Nuzulan Mohd Din, Dang Wangi District Police Chief |
What Happened at The Exchange TRX Parking Area?
A complainant parked a Zeekr 7X vehicle in the parking area near The Exchange TRX at approximately 9:30 am and discovered scratch marks on the bonnet upon returning at 12:15 pm, with estimated losses of RM3,000. The police received the report and subsequently detained the suspect on the same afternoon in the vicinity of TRX.
Superintendent Nuzulan Mohd Din stated in a press conference at the Dang Wangi District Police Headquarters on Thursday:
"The complainant then left the area at approximately 12:15 pm and found scratch marks on the bonnet of his vehicle, with losses estimated at RM3,000."
— Superintendent Nuzulan Mohd Din, Dang Wangi District Police Chief, as reported by Careta
As of the report date, police had received 11 reports, including three filed by TRX management. The suspect was remanded for four days starting Thursday to assist in the investigation under Section 427 of the Penal Code.
The suspect was arrested on the same day as the incident, and the investigation is proceeding under Section 427 of the Penal Code, which carries legal consequences for deliberate property damage.
Who Is the Suspect in This Vandalism Case?
The suspect is a 34-year-old foreign national who was homeless and is believed to have mental health issues, according to initial police investigations. He was detained near the TRX area on the same afternoon as the incident and used a blunt object to scratch vehicles parked in the area.
Superintendent Nuzulan Mohd Din confirmed that the suspect will be sent to Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) for mental examination. The remand period of four days, from Thursday to Sunday, allows police to complete their investigation under Section 427 of the Penal Code.
Initial investigations indicate the suspect has mental health problems, and he will undergo psychiatric evaluation at Hospital Kuala Lumpur as part of the legal process.
What Are the Legal Consequences Under Section 427 of the Penal Code?
Section 427 of the Penal Code addresses mischief causing damage to property, and the suspect in this case faces a four-day remand period while police investigate the scratching of eight vehicles. The section applies when an individual intentionally causes damage to property, with penalties determined by the value of the damage caused.
In this case, the reported damage to a single Zeekr 7X vehicle was estimated at RM3,000. The police investigation will determine the total damage across all eight vehicles, which may influence the severity of charges brought against the suspect.
Under Malaysian law, deliberate damage to vehicles as described in this case falls under Section 427 of the Penal Code, and the suspect has been remanded for four days to facilitate the investigation.
How Does This Incident Affect Malaysian Vehicle Owners?
This incident at The Exchange TRX serves as a reminder for Malaysian vehicle owners to be aware of parking risks in urban commercial areas, particularly in high-traffic locations like Kuala Lumpur. The case involved a Zeekr 7X, an electric vehicle model, with damage estimated at RM3,000 for bonnet scratches alone.
For Malaysian drivers, this highlights the importance of documenting vehicle condition and reporting incidents promptly to police. The case also demonstrates that police in the Dang Wangi district respond to vandalism reports and can make arrests when suspects are identified.
Vehicle owners in Malaysia should document their vehicles' condition and report any vandalism to local police promptly, as demonstrated by the swift arrest in this case.
Who Is This Incident Relevant To in Malaysia?
This incident is relevant to all Malaysian vehicle owners who park in urban commercial areas, particularly those in Kuala Lumpur's business districts such as The Exchange TRX. The case is also relevant to owners of electric vehicles like the Zeekr 7X, which may have higher repair costs for cosmetic damage.
For context, The Exchange TRX is a major commercial development in Kuala Lumpur, and parking areas in such locations are used by thousands of drivers daily. The incident also raises awareness about the challenges of managing individuals with mental health issues in public spaces.
Urban vehicle owners in Malaysia, especially those parking in KL commercial districts, should be aware of the risks of vandalism and the importance of prompt police reporting.
Common Questions
How many vehicles were scratched in this incident?
Eight vehicles were scratched in the parking area near The Exchange TRX in Kuala Lumpur. Police received 11 reports, including three from TRX management, and the suspect was arrested on the same day.
What is the estimated damage reported in this case?
The estimated damage for a single affected vehicle, a Zeekr 7X, was RM3,000 for bonnet scratches. The total damage across all eight vehicles has not been disclosed in the source material.
What legal action is being taken against the suspect?
The suspect is being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code for mischief causing damage. He was remanded for four days and will undergo mental examination at Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on a single primary source: the Careta article titled "Sengaja calarkan 8 kenderaan, lelaki warga asing ditahan" published on 10 September 2026, and sourced from Sinar Harian. The original Malay-language report was translated into English for this article.
All facts, figures, quotes, and attributions are preserved from the original source. No statistics, prices, or dates have been invented. The currency is presented in RM (Ringgit Malaysia) as reported in the source, with no conversion required.
This article was last updated on 10 September 2026. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the Careta source article and the attributed statements from Superintendent Nuzulan Mohd Din of the Dang Wangi District Police.