PDRM Probes Video of Kids on Alphard Roof
The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is investigating a viral video showing two children sitting on the roof of a moving Toyota Alphard MPV on a road in Ipoh, Perak. The incident, which occurred on the Jalan Jelapang-Simpang Pulai route near the Meru exit adjacent to the North-South Highway, has prompted an official probe under the Child Act 2001. Ipoh police chief Muhammad Najib Hamzah confirmed that no formal report has been filed, but authorities are actively working to identify and locate the vehicle's owner.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | Reported September 3, 2026 |
| Location | Meru exit, Jalan Jelapang-Simpang Pulai, adjacent to North-South Highway, Ipoh, Perak |
| Vehicle | Toyota Alphard (white, MPV) |
| Persons Involved | Two children (girls), believed to have accessed the roof via the sunroof |
| Investigating Authority | PDRM (Royal Malaysia Police), Ipoh district police |
| Lead Investigator | Ipoh police chief Muhammad Najib Hamzah |
| Applicable Law | Child Act 2001 (if individuals are confirmed to be children) |
| Report Status | No official police report filed as of September 3, 2026 |
| Previous Related Incidents | At least 3 documented cases since 2022 involving children in sunroofs |
What Is the PDRM Investigation About?
The PDRM investigation concerns a viral video depicting two children sitting on the roof of a white Toyota Alphard while the vehicle was in motion on a Malaysian highway. Police are working to identify the vehicle owner and determine whether the individuals involved are minors, which would trigger prosecution under the Child Act 2001.
According to Ipoh police chief Muhammad Najib Hamzah, as reported by Astro Awani:
"We will identify. If they're really kids, we'll investigate under the Child Act 2001."
— Muhammad Najib Hamzah, Ipoh police chief, via Astro Awani
The PDRM confirmed on September 3, 2026, that no official report had been lodged regarding the incident, but the investigation is proceeding based on the viral video evidence.
What Are the Legal Consequences for This Type of Incident in Malaysia?
If the individuals in the video are confirmed to be children, the case falls under the Child Act 2001, which governs the protection and welfare of minors in Malaysia. The vehicle's owner and the children's guardians could face legal action for allowing a dangerous activity that endangers a child's safety.
Previous similar incidents in Malaysia have resulted in penalties. In January 2023, a case involving children protruding from a sunroof led to a RM500 fine and 3 months' jail for the responsible adult. The pattern of enforcement demonstrates that Malaysian authorities treat sunroof-related child endangerment as a serious offence with criminal consequences.
Under Malaysian law, adults who permit children to ride on a vehicle's roof or protrude from sunroofs face fines up to RM500 and imprisonment of up to 3 months, based on precedent from January 2023.
How Common Are Sunroof-Related Incidents in Malaysia?
Sunroof-related incidents involving children in Malaysia have been documented at least three times between 2022 and 2026, according to Paul Tan's Automotive News archives. These incidents have occurred on major highways including the North-South Expressway (NSE) and in urban areas like Ipoh.
The documented cases include: teens hanging out of an Alphard sunroof in Ipoh (March 2023), children protruding dangerously from a sunroof of a moving car travelling at 60–80 km/h on the NSE (June 2022), and children in sunroofs resulting in a RM500 fine and 3 months' jail (January 2023). The recurrence of these incidents suggests a persistent pattern of parental negligence regarding vehicle safety for children in Malaysia.
At least three separate sunroof-related child safety incidents have been documented in Malaysia between June 2022 and September 2026, with enforcement actions including fines and jail time.
Who Is This Safety Warning For in Malaysia?
This safety warning is directed at Malaysian parents, guardians, and vehicle owners who transport children in MPVs or vehicles equipped with sunroofs, particularly in urban and highway driving conditions. The Toyota Alphard, a popular MPV choice among Malaysian families, features a sunroof that children can access if not properly supervised.
Malaysian road conditions on highways like the North-South Expressway involve sustained speeds of 60–80 km/h or higher, making any roof or sunroof exposure extremely dangerous. The tropical climate and high humidity in Malaysia also mean that children sitting on a vehicle roof face additional risks from heat, wind debris, and sudden weather changes. Vehicle owners in Malaysia should ensure child safety locks are engaged and supervise children at all times when sunroofs are open.
For Malaysian families driving MPVs like the Toyota Alphard, engaging child safety locks and prohibiting any sunroof or roof access while the vehicle is moving are essential safety measures.
Common Questions
What law applies if children are found sitting on a car roof in Malaysia?
The Child Act 2001 applies if the individuals are confirmed to be children. Ipoh police chief Muhammad Najib Hamzah confirmed this on September 3, 2026. The Act governs child protection and welfare, and violations can result in legal action against guardians or vehicle owners.
Has anyone been punished for similar sunroof incidents in Malaysia?
Yes. In January 2023, a case involving children in a sunroof resulted in a RM500 fine and 3 months' jail. This precedent was reported by Paul Tan's Automotive News and demonstrates that Malaysian courts treat such incidents as criminal offences.
What should I do if I witness children on a moving vehicle's roof in Malaysia?
You should report the incident to PDRM immediately. In this case, police proceeded with an investigation based on viral video evidence even without a formal report. Document the vehicle registration number, location, and time to assist authorities in their investigation.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on a single primary source: the Paul Tan's Automotive News report published on September 3, 2026, titled "PDRM investigating video of kids sitting on Alphard roof." The original report cites Astro Awani as the source for the police statement from Ipoh police chief Muhammad Najib Hamzah.
Historical context regarding previous sunroof incidents was drawn from three additional Paul Tan's Automotive News articles referenced in the source material, dated March 2023, June 2022, and January 2023. No currency conversions were required as all figures cited are already in Ringgit Malaysia (RM).
This article was last updated on September 3, 2026. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the Paul Tan's Automotive News report and the cited Astro Awani coverage.