“What has been described by the rider has no place on the Uber network. Please be assured that we take such allegations seriously and our community guidelines expressly prohibit any kind of inappropriate behaviour on a trip.
“The driver no longer has access to the app while investigations into the matter are pending.
“We also stand ready to assist the parties involved and the authorities in their investigation,” a Uber spokesperson told FMT in a statement today.
While travelling in an Uber car in Kota Kinabalu yesterday, a female passenger posted a series of panicked status updates on Facebook alleging that the driver had taken out his penis and was rubbing it even as she typed.
The 25-year-old woman, who had a baby with her, posted: “Please help!!!! I’m sitting in an Uber and driver is holding his penis next to me!!!! How???? I’m wif my baby.”
This was followed by: “Pls help I’m panic!!! He’s holding his penis” and “I’m shaking (someone) pls help.”
She later posted another update, in which she said she had reported the incident to Uber.
She also recounted what had happened during the ride, which had commenced from Likas Children and Women’s Hospital.
“I had no idea he was holding his penis (at first). (I finally noticed it) when he took it out just a little (when we were near the Likas Masjid and was) rubbing it gently. (When he did it the first and second time), he put his hands on his pants, (so) I thought he was just feeling itchy or his pants/belt was too tight.
“I was so frightened and shaken by the incident that I cried silently, without saying anything. I did post on Facebook and soon texted my husband to ask for help. He did call me and I tried to sound calm, as I didn’t want (the driver) to suspect anything,” she posted.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner M Chandra confirmed the passenger reported the incident at the Luyang police station yesterday afternoon.
“The complainant was very scared and worried that something untoward would happen. The driver did not speak or touch the complainant throughout the journey.
“The driver has come forward to lodge a report and denies the incident. We have recorded a statement from him.”
Chandra said Uber headquarters had contacted the complainant and would take further action.