Yes, give the Ipoh “dare-devils” a dressing-down, but don’t treat them as criminals and definitely don’t throw criminal charges at them.
The eight thrill-seeking youths, five men and three women aged between 20 and 24, were foolish in the extreme in their death-defying stunts on the “Ipoh” sign, and their pictures and videos went viral.
They thought they were “brave” did not fully realise that they were toying with their lives, as the “Ipoh” sign structure could have collapsed and cost them their limbs and lives and irreplaceable sorrow to their loved-ones.
The eight did not have any criminal intent and they should not be charged in court under any criminal law, although technically they could be charged under Section 336 of the Penal Code for endangering the lives or safety of others, which carries the maximum penalty of a RM500 fine, or three month jail term, or both.
The same applies to the youth who scaled the top of a crane at the site of the Ipoh convention centre. It was another act of folly which deserved a serious “lecture” but not any criminal charge.
May be the Ipoh Municipal Council should look into strengthening the support structure for the “Ipoh” sign and allowing “dare-devils” in Ipoh to climb atop it, but under proper conditions and with permission of the Council. This will make the “Ipoh” sign another icon in the Perak capital.