Malaysian police probe viral video of father slapping woman who allegedly hit his children

Malaysian police have launched an investigation into a fight at a shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur after a viral video showed a man slapping a woman who allegedly assaulted his two young children.

While police have not officially identified the venue, social media users claim the incident took place at the Ombak KLCC shopping centre.

The 35-second clip circulating on social media shows a heated argument between the pair after the man confronted the woman over her actions. The altercation turns physical when he shoves her and she retaliates by slapping him twice.

He then slaps her across the face and knocks her to the ground. The man is heard swearing at her, saying: “Don’t play with me.”

Dang Wangi district police chief Ahmad Azwan Amin Nordin said the incident occurred at around 3pm while the 36-year-old father was walking with his children, aged two and seven.

“An unidentified woman allegedly approached them from behind and pushed his seven-year-old son, causing him to fall,” the assistant commissioner said. “She also allegedly struck his two-year-old daughter on the back of her head.”

“We are investigating the cause of the incident,” Azwan said in a statement on Sunday, adding that the father lodged a report at about 7.40pm.

Investigations are under way to establish the circumstances of the altercation in accordance with existing laws.

The footage drew mixed reactions online. Some defended the father, arguing his anger was justified to protect his family. “Would you stay silent if this happened to you?” one user wrote.

Others condemned the man’s actions, saying physical force was unnecessary and that the matter should have been left to authorities.

“Lodge a police report [against the woman] and secure the security footage as proof,” another user said.

Police have urged anyone with information to help with investigations and advised the public not to speculate on the incident.