Minister Condemns Assault On Non-Muslim Student For Eating In Public During Ramadan
The case is being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt.
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A non-Muslim student in Johor has claimed he was confronted and slapped by a stranger for eating in public during Ramadan
The victim, identified as Elijah, took to social media platform X on Sunday, 16 March, to share details of the incident.
According to his account, he was eating at a FamilyMart in Angsana Mall, Johor Bahru, when a man approached him and asked if he was Chinese.
Elijah, who, according to his profile, is a Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) student from Sarawak, responded "yes".
The man then demanded proof by asking Elijah to show his IC, which he refused, saying he was not obligated to do so for a stranger.
"The man then asked if I was Muslim, and became angry that I was eating during fasting hours — even though I am not Muslim and was not disturbing him. He even went as far as to slap me multiple times," Elijah wrote.
He said, thankfully, the man's son intervened and tried to defuse the situation, apologising on his father's behalf
"But the uncle had already disrespected me and slapped me in public. I can accept the apology, but I cannot just let this go," he wrote, sharing two videos of the incident in his post.
He also expressed hope that Malaysia would remain a harmonious nation where people can respect one another, regardless of race and religion.
The government has strongly condemned the incident, calling it an act of provocation that goes against the values of unity and harmony in Malaysia's multiracial society
In a statement on X this morning, 17 March, National Unity Minister Datuk Seri Aaron Ago Dagang said the case is being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code after the victim lodged a police report.
"Such actions must be stopped immediately and must not be allowed to take root in a country that upholds the principles of the Rukun Negara," he said.
"I strongly condemn any form of violence, discrimination, and prejudice that could threaten the harmony among races.
"I urge all Malaysians to interact courteously with one another, always respect cultural differences, and practise the values of understanding, respect, and acceptance," he added.