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JOHOR BAHRU, March 19 – A 65-year-old man accused of slapping a non-Muslim for eating in public during Ramadan has been granted a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) by the Johor Bahru Magistrates’ Court today. However, the case will be recharged after further review.
Magistrate A. Shaarmini granted the DNAA after Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Nur Fatihah Mohd Nizam announced that the investigation papers had been referred back to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) in Putrajaya for further evaluation.
Accused Initially Pleads Guilty
The accused, Abdul Razak Ismail, pleaded guilty when the charge was first read in court. However, after hearing the case facts, he disputed them, leading the magistrate to reject his plea and order him to enter his defence.
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Abdul Razak was charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt. If convicted, he could face up to two years’ imprisonment, a RM2,000 fine, or both.
Incident at Shopping Mall Goes Viral
The incident took place last Sunday at about 3.45pm in a convenience store at Angsana Shopping Mall, Tampoi. Abdul Razak allegedly slapped a 21-year-old man on the right cheek, leaving a visible bruise. A video of the altercation, which surfaced on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), quickly went viral.
The video shows Abdul Razak reprimanding the young man for eating in public during Ramadan. Tensions escalated when the accused demanded to see the victim’s MyKad to confirm his religion. When the young man refused, Abdul Razak allegedly scolded and slapped him multiple times.
Case to be Recharged
During the court proceedings, the DPP was in the midst of arguing for bail when she received fresh instructions from the AGC to classify the case as DNAA. She then informed the court that the case would be recharged after the AGC completed its review of the investigation papers.
Abdul Razak appeared in court at 8.52am, accompanied by his son.
Public Reaction and Legal Implications
The incident has sparked widespread debate on social media, with many calling for respect towards religious and cultural diversity. Legal experts highlight that while public decorum is encouraged during Ramadan, taking matters into one’s own hands is unlawful.
As the AGC continues its review, many Malaysians await the next legal steps in this case.