WITH the recent slapping incident that went viral, many on social media are now debating the respect of the rights and liberties of certain groups of people in Malaysia.
We all know how the story of the 21-year-old non-Muslim man in Johor Bahru ended. He filed a police report after allegedly being slapped for eating during Ramadan by an elderly man.
The incident, recorded on video, also drew condemnation from National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang. The case is now in the courts.
In Sabah, one resident recently voiced his anxiety about being confronted – or even slapped – for eating in public during fasting hours, forcing him to repeatedly flash his ID to prove he’s not obligated to fast.
Pengalaman Sabahan bukan-Melayu/Muslim di Semenanjung pic.twitter.com/OFnXulnIL4
— BerhalaKuning (@thelast_demigod) March 21, 2025
Netizens have rallied in support, touched by his ordeal. Many vented frustration at those who harshly judge or loudly shame others for not fasting, noting that faith calls for personal accountability, not public policing.
They stress that religion urges people to mind their own actions, keeping both virtues and flaws discreet, rather than pointing fingers at others.
Mcm biasa ada je meleis yg menidakkan masalah non muslim makan dan minum mcm biasa di bulan Ramadan. Org kata jgn kisah amal ibadat org lain , degil
— De Lipas (@havzichiori) March 21, 2025
Another voice chimed in, noting that France, a Western European nation, is pushing to ban the hijab, sparking clear dismay among netizens.
In Malaysia, some argue it’s a Muslim-majority country, so enforcing religious norms makes sense. Yet, this reasoning flips easily: France, being mostly non-Muslim, could justify its stance the same way.
Agaknya kelakar eh pada melayu gelak2 benda mcm ni. Padahal ni oppression.
Marah bila muslimah dekat France tak boleh pakai tudung tapi dekat tanah sendiri orang bukan islam kena tayang ic setiap kali bulan puasa. Apa imej agama yang kau bawak ni melayu? https://t.co/dE1IgiEvec
— اسلاميست بڠست ⛧ (@MuftiSingapura) March 21, 2025
An X user claimed that those with shaky faith are the ones rattled by seeing others not fasting. Yet, a different take suggests this irritation is mostly an older generation thing, while the younger crowd tends to shrug it off. — March 22, 2025
orang tua ja mcm tu, geng gen y keatas siap tengok mukbang masa rehat kerja.
— Hiiragi Hearts (@hearts_hiiragi) March 21, 2025
