SHAH ALAM: A mamak restaurant worker was slapped and scolded for reminding customers to not smoke.

M. Selvam, 25, from India, was doing his job in reminding a few customers on the newly imposed smoking ban when one the customers slapped him.

“It was around 12.30pm on first day of the ban on Jan 1. We had placed no smoking signs, but some customers were still smoking.

“I went over to politely tell a group of three men to stop smoking, but one of them got up slapped me before all of them left,” he said when met at the restaurant in Seksyen 25, Shah Alam on Thursday (Jan 3).

Later that day, Selvam was scolded by another customer for the same reason.

“I don’t know why people can’t just follow the rules and behave like this,” he said.

Selvam’s employer has since lodged a police report over the incident.

Shah Alam OCPD Asst Comm Baharudin Mat Taib said police are investigating the case under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt.

“We urge the person involved to come forward and give his statement to us,” he said.