I WAS on the bus around Petaling Street at 7.50pm when I witnessed a disturbing act of random violence.

At a bus stop, there were about 30 to 35 people waiting, including two young men. One looked like he had just finished work, while the other was a casually dressed youth.

Suddenly, a group of youths aged between 16 and 22 attacked them.

Six or seven of the youths began beating up the casually dressed one, while the rest grabbed the man in work clothes, who didn’t struggle as it seemed hopeless.

They reached into his trouser pockets. Instead of robbing him, they ripped his trousers down the side.

After that, they just walked off laughing. There must have been about 100 witnesses to this attack and nobody near them went to their aid.

It is not just the Mat Rempit prowling the streets at night who are a menace, but also gangs of youths like this one.

What can be done about such thugs, who attack people at such central areas as bus stops?

Source: NST – January 29, 2008