PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A bumbling carjacker in Malaysia, wielding two parangs, did not live up to his menacing presence after he could not start the car he was stealing, and had to ask the victim to do it for him.

The bizarre incident happened on Sunday morning as the victim, Mr Shahrir Mohamad Subri, his wife and two young children, were about to get into a BMW sedan parked in their condominium complex.

The suspect suddenly sprung out of hiding and threatened the family with a parang in each of his hands.

"The suspect threatened the victim with the parang and asked for his wallet and car keys. Out of fear, he handed his belongings to the man," said Petaling Jaya police chief, Assistant Commissioner Azmi Abu Kassim.

As the terrified family looked on, the suspect jumped into the car and attempted to start it - but could not.

"He asked the victim to start the car for him and show him how to do it," said ACP Azmi, adding that the carjacker exited the condominium complex using the victim's access card.

ACP Azmi said the police were tracking the man, described as a "small-built person in his late 20s".

The suspect was dressed entirely in black and had two scars on the back of his head.

He also stole RM300 (S$111) in cash and other personal documents.

The case is being investigated under Section 392 and 397 of the Penal Code for armed robbery.