Daniel Sim Kok Siong sentenced to jail and fined after crashing into a restaurant while under the influence
A Singaporean man, Daniel Sim Kok Siong, 46, has been sentenced to two days in jail and a RM12,000 (S$3,600) fine after crashing his car into a restaurant in Johor Bahru while drunk. The incident occurred on 5 March 2025, when Sim, a private-hire driver, lost control of his vehicle and collided with the wall of a Thai mookata restaurant located in Jalan Dato Abdullah Tahir. The crash caused significant damage to the restaurant’s furniture, though no injuries were reported.
Sim attempted to reverse his car after the crash, but in doing so, he hit a stationary vehicle. The incident was captured in a video that circulated online, showing bystanders urging Sim to exit the car after he tried to flee the scene. Witnesses confirmed that Sim had finished his meal at the restaurant and was attempting to leave when the accident took place.
Following the crash, Sim was arrested and subjected to an alcohol test. His blood alcohol level was found to be 165mg per 100ml, more than three times the legal limit. Despite initially resisting a second test, Sim later pleaded guilty to driving under the influence at the Johor Bahru Magistrate Court on 14 March 2025.
During the court proceedings, Sim expressed his remorse and requested leniency, citing his monthly income of approximately $5,000 and his responsibility as the primary breadwinner for his family, including three children. Along with the two-day jail sentence, the court imposed a two-year driving ban in Malaysia. If Sim fails to pay the fine, his jail term will be extended to seven months. The maximum penalty for the offence could have been up to two years in jail and a fine of RM30,000.
