‘Datuk’ apologises over restaurant assault
KUALA LUMPUR: The Datuk involved in the assault of a young couple at a hotpot restaurant last Tuesday has apologised over his actions and that of his friend, saying they will accept any punishment meted out by the authorities.
In a two-minute video, the man who identified himself as “Datuk Tan” admitted that their actions were unnecessary and over-the-top and that they were intoxicated at the time.
Admitting that he had been irrational, he said he was angry and embarrassed over how he and his friends were asked to lower their voices at the restaurant by someone much younger.
“Things were made worse when my friend thought I was hit by the young man. He then slapped the young man and the fight got worse, after which I slapped the young woman.
“I, Datuk Tan, and on behalf of my friend Ang Lee, want to apologise to the young man and his girlfriend for our actions,” he said in the video.
He also hoped that his family and friends would not be drawn into the matter, saying only he and his friend were responsible for what had transpired.
“Again, I apologise for what has happened. I hope you can accept our apology.”
The incident at the restaurant in Tropicana Avenue, hours before the movement control order came into force last Wednesday, sparked fury among Malaysians after two video clips went viral.
An argument broke out after a young man was believed to have asked the Datuk and his friends to lower their voices. The two men then slapped the youth before one of them hit the victim’s girlfriend on their way out of the restaurant.
Both men surrendered at the Mutiara Damansara police station last Thursday and police obtained a remand order the next day to hold them until Saturday.