City police said they have arrested a foreigner who refused to wear a face mask while patronising a shopping mall in Ampang, as required under the country’s Covid-19 preventive rules.
Wangsa Maju district police chief Supt Ashari Abu Samah confirmed that the man was arrested at 8.30pm last night when he presented himself for questioning at the district headquarters.
“The detainee is a Canadian man, 44, who works and resides in Kuala Lumpur.
“However, the suspect was released on police bail while waiting for the investigation paper on the case to be completed, and referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further instructions.
“The case is being investigated under Section 269 of the Penal Code, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, and Regulation 18 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures Within Infected Local Areas) 2021,” he said in a statement today.
The Penal Code offence relates to a negligent act likely to spread infection of any disease dangerous to life while the Minor Offences Act section pertains to insulting behaviour likely to result in a breach of the peace.
Ashari urged members of the public with information on the case to contact the police either at the Wangsa Maju district police headquarters or at their nearest police station.
The matter came to light after an 18-second video of the incident was shared on TikTok.
The video showed a Caucasian man, who was not wearing a face mask, squaring off with a security guard at a supermarket in Jalan Ampang.
It is understood that the security guard had asked the man to wear a face mask.
The man is heard challenging the guard and another supermarket employee with “What are you gonna do?” and after not receiving any reply, said “exactly”.
The man then walked off but not before showing the guard an obscene gesture and hurling expletives.
Wearing a face mask in public is still mandatory in Malaysia. Those who refuse to do so can be fined under Rule 16 (1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Rules 2021, which carries a fine of up to RM1,000 or a jail term of up to six months or both.