In an unusual yet lighthearted turn of events, a group of teenagers in Kuala Lumpur welcomed 2025 not at a party but by performing squats by the roadside.
The incident, which took place on New Year’s Eve at a police roadblock, was captured on video and has since gone viral, sparking a wave of online reactions.
Police Roadblock Turns into a Lesson on Behavior
According to BERNAMA TV, the teenagers were stopped at a roadblock in the capital city during New Year’s celebrations.
Instead of issuing fines or confiscating items, the police chose a more unconventional approach: they instructed the teenagers to perform “ketuk ketampi” (a traditional disciplinary exercise involving squats).
What Is “Ketuk Ketampi”?
“Ketuk ketampi” is a light form of physical punishment traditionally used in Malaysian schools and households.
It often involves repetitive knee bends while holding the earlobes with arms crossed.
The intention is not to harm but to educate and correct misbehavior.
In this case, the police appear to have used “ketuk ketampi” as an alternative to more severe punishments.
Squats as a ‘punishment’
The video showed the teens lined up, arms crossed, gripping their ears, performing synchronized squats under the supervision of officers.
Some officers were even seen recording the scene.
While the specific reason for the punishment wasn’t confirmed, several online comments speculated it could be linked to “basikal lajak,” a controversial activity involving modified bicycles.
Comments and Online Reactions
The viral video sparked lively discussions online, with netizens offering various interpretations and opinions:
One user asked, “What’s the case?” another replied, “Basikal lajak” (modified bicycle). 
Another commenter questioned if the teenagers were driving cars or motorbikes without a license, to which someone clarified, “Bicycle bro”
Another assumed, “They were punished for a few reasons: wandering, treating the road like it belonged to them, and riding bicycles without proper safety measures—wearing slippers, no bike helmets, and bicycles without lights. That’s all I can say.”
One user humorously suggested, “They should add more punishment—like picking up trash or cleaning drains.”
Others debated the effectiveness of such punishments.
One said, “Sometimes punishments like this are more effective in teaching teenagers.”
While others pointed out the lasting impression this incident might leave on the teens.
One commenter joked, “This is just something that’ll become a ‘beautiful memory’ when they get older. Later, they’ll bring it up and say, ‘Back then, we were made to do squats at BB…’ (Bukit Bintang) while laughing.”
The “Basikal Lajak” Debate
The specific reason for the punishment wasn’t confirmed, but several online comments speculated it could be linked to “basikal lajak,” a controversial activity involving modified bicycles.
“Basikal lajak” refers to small modified bicycles, often without handlebars or brakes, designed for speed.
The issue of “basikal lajak” gained national attention in 2017 when eight teenagers tragically lost their lives in Johor Bahru after their modified bicycles collided with a car.
The driver, Sam Ke Ting, faced legal proceedings and was initially convicted of reckless driving. However, in 2023, the Court of Appeal acquitted her, citing procedural flaws in the case.
Although it’s unclear if the teenagers at the roadblock were riding these bikes, the association sheds light on an ongoing societal concern in Malaysia.
Watch the video here:
@bernamatvofficial SELAMAT TAHUN BAHARU DIK…. Tular sebuah video dikongsi warga maya yang dipercayai memaparkan remaja di bawah umur didenda KETUK KETAMPI oleh polis dalam satu sekatan jalan raya sempena sambutan ambang tahun baharu 2025 di ibu negara malam tadi. 📹 Si Solihin #digitalbernamatv #ambang2025 #tahunbaharu #sekatanjalanraya #pdrm #jpj #remaja #ketukketampi
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