A recent incident in Bukit Bintang has once again shed light on the disturbing reality of voyeurism happening right in the middle of our public spaces. A university student was caught attempting to secretly record an upskirt video of a woman while crossing the road in front of Lot 10 shopping mall. The incident has gone viral across social media, raising serious concerns about public safety and the growing prevalence of such predatory behavior.
According to eyewitnesses, the suspect had hidden his phone inside a shopping bag, discreetly positioning it beneath the woman’s skirt as she crossed the street. Fortunately, the victim’s friends quickly spotted the suspicious act. The victim’s boyfriend immediately confronted the man, restraining him and forcing him to unlock his phone while they waited for the police to arrive.
What followed was even more shocking. Upon accessing the suspect’s phone, the group allegedly discovered around 500GB of voyeuristic material, including thousands of upskirt videos and photos. The size of the collection suggests that this wasn’t an isolated incident — many more women may have unknowingly been victims. In addition, gambling sites and betting records were also found on the suspect’s device, raising questions about whether he might have been involved in other illegal activities.
The suspect, who is reportedly a university student from Cyberjaya, was handed over to the authorities. However, at the time of reporting, police have not yet released an official statement.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion online. Many have praised the bystanders for stepping in, but the victim’s friends stressed that their aim wasn’t to play heroes — instead, they wanted to raise awareness about how common these crimes actually are, even when the perpetrators may appear completely ordinary in public.
The case has also triggered broader conversations about personal safety, especially for women. Several people have advised women who wear skirts to consider wearing safety pants as an added precaution. While it’s upsetting that such measures even need to be considered, the reality is that these kinds of incidents continue to happen in everyday places — shopping malls, public transportation, crowded streets.
This story is also a harsh reminder of how technology can easily be misused, turning something as simple as a smartphone into a tool for violating others’ privacy. With voyeurism cases on the rise, public vigilance remains crucial — not just for potential victims, but for everyone around them.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual harassment or abuse, several organizations in Malaysia offer support and assistance. Speaking up and reporting such incidents remains one of the most important steps in ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable.