'Want to kena whack?' man asks if the media want his autograph after being charged

Clad in a yellow T-shirt with the words “we don't care”, father of three J Syamalan joked with members of the media as he walked out of the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex.

“You don't want my signature?

“Drink a lot of water. It is very hot,” he said, showing his water bottle, according to The Star.

As the photographers clicked on their cameras, the 33-year-old businessperson remarked: "That's enough. My eyes are hurting."

Earlier, Syamalan, who sported a face mask this time, claimed trial to two charges at the Magistrate's Court for hurling insulting words at a nasi lemak seller and for not wearing a mask on that day.

According to Bernama, the businessperson, represented by lawyer John Das, was allowed bail of RM4,000 with one surety on both charges and the court set Aug 24 for mention.

Deputy public prosecutor Wan Ahmad Hakimi Wan Ahmad Jaafar handled the prosecution.

On the charge of insulting the nasi lemak seller, Syamalan was alleged to have intended to insult the modesty of the 23-year-old woman, which is an offence under Section 509 of the Penal Code.

He faces imprisonment of up to five years, or with a fine or both if found guilty.

Syamalan was also charged with violating Regulation 17 (1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within Infected Local Areas) 2021 for not wearing a face mask in a public area.

Both the offences were allegedly committed in front of a shop at Jalan Desa Bakti in Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur, at 10.30am last July 18.

Police detained Syamalan after a 29-second video of the incident, recorded by a bystander, had gone viral on social media.

The video showed a man launching into a verbal tirade against another customer at the nasi lemak stall.

“What you want to do? Call police ah? Call lah f**ker. Need me to buy you credit ah?” he said.

The customer responded: “It’s okay.”

The man then continued: “It’s okay then f*** off. Don’t talk so much. F*** off.

“F**ker you want to kena (get) whacked this morning? Sunday morning you want to kena whack ah?”

The nasi lemak seller and her daughter then intervened and the customer backed off. - Mkini