A Changkat Changi Secondary student hit a bus driver after the latter scolded him for leaving his cup on board the vehicle, reported STOMP.

The defiant student had also taunted the driver, after fleeing the scene with the driver in pursuit.

A witness told STOMP: "On 14th April 2009, around 2.45pm, while I was aboard 2792K of bus service 38, a boy (pictured with his right hand raised) from Changkat Changi Secondary School punched the bus captain on the nose after he was scolded for leaving his disposable cup on the bus.

"The bus captain passed the cup back to the boy and demanded him to throw it away properly. The boy, however, reacted angrily even though the bus captain did not raise his voice when confronting him.

"When the bus captain returned to his seat, the boy threw the cup back on the floor and alighted. The bus captain, angered by this, picked up the cup and chased after the boy, who is at the road central divider.

"An argument between them followed and ended up with the boy punching the bus captain on the nose and running away.

"The bus captain tried to chase after him but gave up shortly after that and continued his journey. I took the photo of the boy when the bus started to move. Apparently, the boy was still taunting the bus captain, as seen by his raised hand.

"I seriously hope Changkat Changi Secondary School will track down the boy and punish him severely for his behaviour. He behaved like a hooligan, even though he was at fault for littering the bus.

"I would also like to commend the bus captain for his courage in standing up against such litter bugs. Most people, myself included, will never have the courage to confront such people, as they are afraid of trouble.

"As a result, litter bugs usually get away scot-free, and buses are continually dirtied by such ugly commuters.

"Even though bus captains are usually advised not to get into arguments with passengers, this bus captain of service 38, 2792K, showed initiative in catching the litter bugs, who constantly dirty our public buses."

The boys have since been identified and dealt with, says Changkat Changi principal Mrs Yeow.

She said: "The school does not condone such behaviour and appropriate disciplinary actions will be meted out. "We have identified the students concerned and are also working closely with their parents to provide counselling and guidance to them. "

The students have expressed regret over what has happened. We have also used this incident as an opportunity to educate the rest of the school."