KUALA LUMPUR: A video clip of a motorcyclist carrying a cooking gas cylinder as he rides dangerously through a traffic intersection has gone viral.
The video, posted by Sukan Star TV, shows the man holding a red gas cylinder with his left hand while riding his motorcycle with his right, and ignoring traffic regulations.
Cars can be seen moving in opposite directions in both lanes, while vehicles in another lane are stopped at a red light. The motorcyclist clumsily navigates through traffic, trying to balance the gas cylinder, while finding a way out.
The video garnered 1.2 million views and 16,000 likes, with many netizens saying how dangerous it was for him to ride his machine in the middle of the busy intersection with only one hand.
User @Ahmad Rahman said motorists like this created problems for other road users.
"The problem is when it becomes a hassle for everyone else," he said.
Another social media user, Hafiz Vomiterok, claimed to know the motorcyclist – a neighbour.
He said he had overheard the motorcyclist's wife asking him to buy a gas cylinder, as they had run out of gas to cook.
"That night, I heard his wife nagging her husband. She said 'You've got your salary, right? Please buy gas. We've run out. How am I supposed to cook without gas?" said Hafiz.
Responding to this, user @Ali Matt said the motorcyclist chose danger over being nagged further.
"I guess he's got a long life ahead of him. It's like he's trying to kill himself rather than listening to her nagging every day."
Another netizen, @Ihsan Ahmad, added that such behaviour on the road smacks of sheer recklessness.
"Is it really worth risking your life just to avoid being told off? It's incredibly foolish."
Another user, @Siti Noor Shuhada Adam, said calling a gas delivery service, if it was available, could have solved the problem.
"Just call the gas delivery service and get it sorted. But I'm not sure if there's a gas delivery service in (that) area. Regardless, it's extremely dangerous, not just for him, but for others as well," she added.