Drunken Rage, Shattered Glass: Man Jailed for Soju Bottle Attack on SMRT Bus

It's one of those stories that makes you pause and think about the unpredictability of life, especially when you're just going about your day. Imagine, if you will, the early hours of May 22, 2023. A seemingly ordinary night takes a dangerous turn for passengers on an SMRT bus along Telok Blangah Road.

Muhammad Mu'tasim Abdul Hamid, a 29-year-old man, found himself embroiled in a heated argument with his girlfriend. They'd been out, drinks had flowed, and she simply didn't want to go home with him. A disagreement, certainly, but what happened next was far from typical. In a moment of sheer frustration, perhaps fueled by the alcohol, Mu'tasim spotted an SMRT bus, service 188, approaching a bus stop. And then, he did the unthinkable.

He hurled a soju bottle straight at the bus. The impact was immediate and jarring. The bottle struck the window, shattering it completely and sending shards of glass flying inwards. It wasn't just property damage; it was a direct assault on the safety of those inside. Unfortunately, an innocent passenger, Mdm Ng Lee Kiow, 50, was sitting right by that window.

The flying glass cut her face and hand. Suddenly, her routine bus ride became a terrifying ordeal. She was rushed for medical attention, treated for her injuries, and even received a seven-day medical leave. It's a stark reminder of how one person's reckless actions can have very real, painful consequences for others.

In the aftermath, the bus itself wasn't spared; it incurred damage estimated at S$587. Mu'tasim was later apprehended and faced multiple charges: voluntarily causing hurt, mischief, and committing a rash act that endangered human life. He eventually pleaded guilty to these serious offenses.

Ultimately, the court handed down a sentence that reflected the gravity of his actions. Muhammad Mu'tasim Abdul Hamid was sentenced to 13 months and two weeks in jail. It serves as a powerful, if unfortunate, lesson about the dangers of losing control, especially under the influence of alcohol, and the importance of public safety. A moment of drunken rage, a simple bottle, and suddenly, lives are impacted and freedom is lost.