MELAKA: A routine visit to check on a public complaint along Jalan Syed Abdul Aziz here turned into a shocking encounter for Low Chee Leong when a man allegedly exposed himself during a confrontation.
The Kota Laksamana assemblyman said he had gone to the busy stretch after receiving complaints from motorists about a man standing in the middle of the road while selling packets of tissue.
"I confronted the man with my team after receiving complaints from the public that he was flashing at motorists and peddling tissues along the stretch.
"The man, in his late 30s, was causing a nuisance and risking his own safety by standing in the middle of a busy street," he said when met on Saturday (March 14).
Low, who is also the Melaka rural development, agriculture and food security committee deputy chairman, said the situation escalated when the man became agitated during the confrontation on Thursday (March 12).
He claimed the man hurled abusive words at him and even spat at him twice before making a lewd gesture and exposing his genitals.
"Many motorists had earlier complained that he would flash at them if they refused to buy the tissues he was selling," he said.
Low said while the behaviour was disturbing, he believed the man may be suffering from mental health issues and therefore chose not to lodge a report with the police.
Instead, he has alerted the Melaka Social Welfare Department to look into the matter and provide the necessary intervention.
He said such cases should be handled with compassion while also ensuring public safety.
"This is not just about nuisance on the road and if left unattended, the man could also behave inappropriately towards tourists visiting the historic city.
"That would certainly give a bad impression of the historic city as a top tourist destination," he added.
