A non-Muslim man has filed a police report after he was slapped in public for eating during the daytime in Ramadan.
The incident, which took place at a convenience store in Johor Bahru, was caught on video and has since sparked outrage.
National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang confirmed that the victim, identified as Elijah on X, reported the incident at Tampoi police station.
According to Elijah, he was having a meal when an older man approached him and began questioning him.
“I was just eating normally, and the uncle asked if I was Chinese. I said yes because that’s a common question. Then he demanded to see my IC, even though we’re not supposed to show it to strangers,” Elijah recounted in a series of posts on X yesterday.
The man then asked if he was Muslim, before scolding him for eating in public during Ramadan, despite Elijah being a non-Muslim and not disturbing anyone.
“He even slapped me several times,” Elijah said, sharing two short videos of the incident, which occurred inside a mall.
The older man’s son later apologised on his father’s behalf, which Elijah accepted, but he insisted the case should not go unreported.
Minister Aaron confirmed that the case is being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison, a RM2,000 fine, or both.
Condemning the attack, Aaron stressed that violence, discrimination, and prejudice have no place in Malaysia’s multiracial society.
“This incident is a provocation that does not reflect the spirit of unity and harmony in our country. Such actions must stop immediately and must not take root in a nation that upholds the principles of the Rukun Negara,” he said in a statement.
He urged Malaysians to be respectful in their interactions.
“I hope all Malaysians will be civil, respect each other’s cultures, and practise understanding, respect, and acceptance,” he added.
In a follow-up post today, Elijah thanked the minister for his statement and reiterated his hope for harmony to prevail.