M'sia PM Anwar condemns slapping incident over non-Muslim man who ate in public during Ramadan

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has condemned the incident in which a non-Muslim man was slapped at a convenience store for eating during Ramadan.

Anwar: Such actions must be immediately stopped

In a message relayed by his senior press secretary, Anwar said such actions must be stopped immediately as they contravene unity and national harmony, Malaysian media reported.

He added, "What is the use of us discussing Islam and its beauty, especially during Ramadan, if it does not build inner strength, distances us from anger and threatens peace and order?"

Anwar also said, "And I believe issues touching on racial and religious sensitivities can be avoided if everyone respects one another in order to build a civilised country."

What was the incident about?

According to the victim, who identified himself as Elijah, the incident took place at a convenience store while he was eating.

Elijah said he was confronted by an elderly man who asked if he was Chinese.

When Elijah said yes, the man asked to see his MyKad (Malaysia's equivalent of the NRIC).

Afterwards the man asked if he was Muslim or non-Muslim, then became angry, scolded him and slapped him several times, Elijah claimed.

He added that the elderly man's son subsequently apologised on behalf of his father and that while he accepted the apology, he could not leave the incident unreported to the police.

Given a discharge not amounting to acquittal after he disputed facts of the case

According to Malaysia media, the 65-year-old initially pleaded guilty to a charge of voluntarily causing hurt on the morning of Mar. 19.

However, he disputed the facts of the case when it was read out in the Johor Bahru magistrate's court.

Sin Chew Daily reported that he disagreed with the description that the victim's face was swollen.

His guilty plea was then rejected by the magistrate and he was ordered to enter his defence.

The prosecution then requested a discharge not amounting to acquittal, and added that they had been ordered to refer the case to the Attorney-General's Chambers.

The Attorney-General's Chambers subsequently clarified that there were technical issues regarding the charges filed against the accused, The Star reported.

However, these have since been resolved and the man will be charged again at the same court, the Attorney-General's Chambers added.

Pleaded not guilty when re-charged

This time however, when he was re-charged later in the day, with voluntarily causing hurt again, the accused pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.

The prosecution also set bail for the accused at RM8,000 (S$2,400).

However, his lawyer argued that the bail amount was too high and pointed out that his client is a government pensioner who has to support three children.

The court eventually set bail at RM2,000 (S$600).

According to Johor Bahru Northern District police, the elderly man is a 65-year-old Malaysian with no criminal record.

If convicted of voluntarily causing hurt, he may be sentenced to a maximum of one year in jail, fined up to RM2,000 (S$601), or both.

Top left photo via Anwar Ibrahim/Facebook, right image via Oriental Daily