Police Hunt Alphard Driver Who Let Child Out Sunroof

Police Hunt Toyota Alphard Driver Who Allowed Child to Exit Through Sunroof in Ipoh

The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) are actively tracking the driver of a Toyota Alphard who permitted several children to extend part of their bodies through the vehicle's sunroof while the car was moving on a highway in Ipoh, Perak. Ipoh District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Najib Hamzah confirmed that authorities identified a 21-second video circulating on Facebook on Wednesday, with the incident believed to have occurred on the Meru-Jelapang Highway at approximately 6:45 PM. This incident involves a potential breach of Malaysian road safety regulations and has drawn widespread public condemnation.

Key Facts

What Happened in the Ipoh Sunroof Incident?

Police are investigating a viral 21-second video showing several young girls extending part of their bodies through the sunroof of a moving Toyota Alphard on the Meru-Jelapang Highway near Ipoh. The Ipoh District Police Chief confirmed the video was identified on Facebook on Wednesday, and the incident is believed to have occurred around 6:45 PM. Authorities are now working to identify the vehicle owner and take statements from those involved to assist the investigation.

According to Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Najib Hamzah, the police are treating this matter with urgency due to the significant safety risks posed to the children involved. The act of allowing passengers to protrude from a moving vehicle's sunroof is considered reckless under Malaysian traffic law, as it exposes individuals to serious injury from road debris, sudden braking, or overhead obstacles.

"Usaha sedang dilakukan bagi mengenal pasti pemilik kenderaan berkenaan dan mengambil keterangan daripada individu terbabit bagi membantu siasatan."

— Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Najib Hamzah, Ipoh District Police Chief, as reported by Kosmo via Careta

The Ipoh police confirmed on 03-09-2026 that they are actively identifying the Toyota Alphard owner involved in the Meru-Jelapang Highway sunroof incident.

What Are the Legal Consequences for Allowing Children Out of a Sunroof in Malaysia?

Under Malaysian law, allowing a child to extend their body through a vehicle sunroof while moving is a traffic offence that can result in fines, court summons, or prosecution under road safety regulations. The police investigation aims to determine the exact charges applicable to the driver, with statements being taken from all individuals involved. The Ipoh District Police Chief confirmed that the public can assist by providing information to the IPD Ipoh Operations Room at 05-2451500 or any nearby police station.

This incident is not isolated in Malaysia. A similar case was reported on 04-07-2026 involving a mother of two children who were seen sticking their heads through a sunroof on the Grand Saga Highway in Cheras, near Kampung Batu 10. Additionally, on 21-11-2023, police tracked down a driver who allowed a child to extend their head through a sunroof, with investigations revealing the incident occurred on 17 November 2023 at approximately 9:30 PM. These repeated incidents highlight an ongoing enforcement challenge for Malaysian authorities.

Malaysian police have investigated at least three separate sunroof-related child safety incidents since November 2023, with the latest occurring on the Meru-Jelapang Highway in September 2026.

How Can the Public Report Road Safety Violations in Malaysia?

Members of the public who witness road safety violations such as children exiting through sunroofs can report incidents directly to the police operations room or any nearby police station. For this specific case, the Ipoh District Police Headquarters (IPD Ipoh) Operations Room can be reached at 05-2451500. Police have explicitly requested that anyone with information related to the Toyota Alphard incident come forward to assist with the investigation.

The police statement, as reported by Kosmo, encourages public participation in road safety enforcement. This collaborative approach between authorities and citizens is a standard practice in Malaysia for identifying vehicles involved in reckless driving incidents, particularly when viral videos bring such behaviour to public attention.

"Orang ramai juga boleh menyalurkan maklumat ke mana-mana balai polis berhampiran bagi membantu siasatan."

— Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Najib Hamzah, as reported by Kosmo via Careta

Malaysian authorities urge witnesses of road safety violations to contact the IPD Ipoh Operations Room at 05-2451500 or any nearby police station to assist investigations.

Why This Incident Matters for Malaysian Drivers

This incident serves as a critical reminder for Malaysian drivers, particularly those operating large family vehicles like the Toyota Alphard, that road safety regulations apply equally to all vehicle types. The Toyota Alphard, a popular multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) in Malaysia known for its spacious interior and premium features, is commonly used for family transport. The sunroof, while a desirable feature for many Malaysian buyers, is not designed for passengers to extend their bodies through while the vehicle is in motion.

Malaysian road conditions, including highway speeds on routes like the Meru-Jelapang Highway, present significant risks for such behaviour. Tropical weather conditions, including sudden rain and strong winds, can further increase the danger. Drivers in Malaysia should ensure all passengers, especially children, remain fully inside the vehicle at all times during transit, and should be aware that such actions carry legal consequences under Malaysian traffic law.

Malaysian drivers of family vehicles like the Toyota Alphard must ensure all passengers remain inside the vehicle while moving, as sunroof protrusion carries legal and safety risks.

Common Questions

What should I do if I see a child sticking out of a sunroof in Malaysia?

Contact the nearest police station or the relevant district police operations room immediately. For incidents in Ipoh, call 05-2451500. Provide the vehicle registration number, location, time, and any video evidence you may have captured to assist the investigation.

What is the penalty for allowing a child to ride in a sunroof in Malaysia?

The specific penalty is determined by the investigating authorities based on applicable traffic laws. Police will take statements from those involved and may issue summons or pursue prosecution. The Ipoh police are currently investigating the Toyota Alphard incident to determine appropriate action.

Has this happened before on Malaysian highways?

Yes, similar incidents have been reported. On 04-07-2026, a mother of two children was detained for allowing them to stick their heads through a sunroof on the Grand Saga Highway in Cheras. In November 2023, police also tracked down a driver for a similar offence.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: the Careta article titled "Polis kesan pemandu Toyota Alphard biar budak keluar badan di 'sunroof'" published on 03-09-2026, which cites Kosmo as the original reporting outlet. The source material was translated from Malay to English for this article. All quotes, dates, and factual claims are drawn directly from the source material. No statistics, prices, or additional data beyond the source content have been invented. The currency is referenced in RM (Ringgit Malaysia) where applicable, though no monetary figures were present in the original source. This article was last updated on 03-09-2026. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the source material from Careta and Kosmo.