Cops looking into alleged 'spitting' durian seller

PETALING JAYA: Police will be contacting the man who allegedly "spat" into packets of durian he was wrapping to get his statement on the matter.

Gombak OCPD Asst Comm Ali Ahmad told The Star Online that the police would take action if it was determined that the man did anything wrong.

"We will call the worker involved and will investigate the matter. If we find that there was any wrongdoing, we will take action in accordance with the law," he said.

Police patrol cars were sent to the durian vendor's stall Wednesday night but the seller was not there.

"We have to determine what actually happened and will look into the matter from all angles. We need to determine if he was actually spitting," said ACP Ali.

He also confirmed that the stall workers were Indonesian, as per claims on social media.

When asked if it was a crime to spit into food produce, ACP Ali responded that it would be a breach of by-laws.

"If he did indeed spit, then we will take the appropriate action and leave it to the relevant authorities. So we will wait for his response," he said.

On Wednesday night, a two-minute video of a man apparently spitting into packets of durian he was wrapping went viral on social media.

It was shared extensively on WhatsApp and Facebook, drawing the ire as well as the disgust of netizens.

A video had also surfaced on social media showing what appears to be local residents confronting the durian seller at his stall and berating him.

It was learnt that a large crowd had gathered at the stall forcing the workers to pack the goods on a lorry and leave.

The stall is said to have remained closed on Thursday.