JOHOR BARU: Police have confirmed that they are investigating an incident where a non-Muslim man was scolded and slapped while eating at a convenience store in a shopping mall during Ramadan.
Johor Baru North OCPD Asst Comm Balveer Singh said they detected a video on X showing a verbal altercation between two men at a business premises.
“A 21-year-old local man lodged a police report at 9.08pm on Sunday. Investigations revealed that the incident occurred at around 3.45pm that day at a shopping mall here.
“The victim alleged that he was slapped twice on the right cheek by an unknown man,” he said here on Monday.
ACP Balveer added that the dispute was believed to have started when the suspect asked about the complainant’s religion and requested to see his MyKad.
He said that when the victim refused, the situation escalated.
“The case is being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt,” he added.
ACP Balveer also said that anyone with information on the incident should contact Johor Baru North police headquarters at 07-556 3122.
He also reminded the public to always abide by the law and act rationally to avoid resorting to violence.
Meanwhile, state Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid advised the public not to take matters into their own hands.
Mohd Fared said the action by the Muslim man to slap the young man in public was against the teachings of Islam and a violation of the law.
“While preventing wrongdoing is commendable, we must first verify the facts. Islam teaches us to investigate matters carefully (tabayyun) before making any judgement.
“No one has the right to punish others. If there is a concern, report it to us, and we will investigate, issue notices, or take legal action, if necessary,” he said to reporters after conducting inspections on food outlets at Pandan wholesale market yesterday.
He was responding to viral videos showing a man being slapped by a stranger for eating at a convenience store in a shopping mall.
Meanwhile, Bernama quoted National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang (pic) as saying that the incident was an act of provocation that went against the spirit of unity and harmony in Malaysia’s multicultural society.
“I strongly condemn any form of violence, discrimination and prejudice that can threaten racial harmony.
“I urge all Malaysians to interact with one another in a civilised manner, always respect each other’s culture and practice the values of understanding, respect and acceptance,” he said on his X account yesterday when commenting on a post by X user Elijah through his account handle @bingbinge656.
He said issues affecting national unity must not be taken lightly, as any incident that threatens Malaysia’s harmony should not be tolerated.
According to Aaron, the victim, identified as Elijah, has lodged a report regarding the incident at the Tampoi police station.
Elijah has since posted on X that when the man scolded him, he explained that he was not a Muslim.
However, the man asked for his identity card as proof before slapping him.
Elijah then claimed that the man’s son came forward to calm the situation and apologise for his father’s behaviour.
On Sunday, two videos lasting 32 seconds and 44 seconds on the alleged incident went viral on social media.
