PENANG – A heated public outburst over a plate of char koay teow at a busy hawker stall in New Lane, Penang, went viral after a man slapped a hawker and flipped a wok in full view of customers on the evening of 5 July 2025, at around 7:00 PM.
The entire altercation was recorded by a bystander and posted online, where it quickly gained traction. The video shows a frustrated male customer yelling at two stallholders after allegedly being ignored when asking which plate was his. Moments later, he appeared to slap one of the hawkers, triggering gasps from other diners.
When the hawker threatened to call the police, the man brazenly encouraged it, shouting “go ahead” before storming to the cooking area and flipping the hawker’s entire wok, spilling ingredients and food across the stall in front of stunned onlookers.
The incident shocked those present, with some unsure of how to react in the chaotic moment. Many netizens, after viewing the clip, expressed outrage over the aggressive behavior and voiced support for the hawkers, who were operating under peak dinner hour stress.
In a statement issued later that evening, Timur Laut Deputy Police Chief Lee Swee Sake confirmed that a police report had been lodged by one of the stallholders following the incident. Police began an investigation immediately, with the man’s identity reportedly known to authorities.
However, after reviewing the case, police decided to take no further action. Investigations revealed that the suspect had apologised to the hawker, who accepted the apology and declined to pursue the matter further. No injuries or damages were reported, and the hawker’s family also did not suffer any harm.
“The case has been classified as no further action after the complainant forgave the suspect,” said SAC Lee. “The complainant also does not wish to pursue the case, as neither he nor his family members suffered any loss or injuries.”
While the case has been closed officially, the viral video has continued to circulate, prompting discussions about customer aggression, hawker safety, and whether legal frameworks should be strengthened to protect frontline food vendors in volatile public spaces.
The hawker stall, known for its char koay teow, sits along New Lane, one of Penang’s most popular hawker food destinations. The incident has raised questions about how disputes over simple miscommunications can spiral into violence, and whether apologies are sufficient when physical assault is involved.
Online, many commenters demanded tougher laws or at least clearer escalation procedures for hawkers who are assaulted or threatened. Others called for CCTV installations or security patrols in busy hawker zones to prevent similar episodes.
Though the man in question has not issued a public statement, his apology was deemed acceptable by the hawker, bringing this dramatic episode to a legal close even if public opinion remains sharply divided.
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