'I was defending my children': Malaysian father speaks out after viral KL mall slapping incident

A Malaysian father whose alleged altercation with a woman at a Kuala Lumpur shopping mall went viral has said he was trying to protect his two young children.

The incident which took place on Sunday, involved him allegedly slapping a woman following an altercation involving his two young children.

According to Malaysian media reports, the man's seven-year-old son was allegedly pushed from behind, causing him to fall, while his two-year-old daughter was allegedly hit on the back of her head.

Speaking on Malaysian radio station Kool FM on Monday (Nov 2), the father, known only as Hafizuddin, 36, said he had taken his children to the Pokémon event at Ombak KLCC as a treat for his son, who had recently recovered from a fever.

The family had been walking around the mall's Pokémon-themed event, collecting stamps, when his younger child, who was in a stroller, wanted to get down and walk alongside his older brother.

As he continued walking with his children, Hafizuddin said his son was on his right while his daughter was on his left when he heard the sound of a child falling.

He turned around and saw his son getting back up with a puzzled expression, before noticing him looking towards the woman.

Hafizuddin said he he called out, "Excuse me, excuse me," but the woman continued walking before allegedly striking his daughter on the head, causing her to fall as well.

He claimed the woman then shouted for the police and called him a "crazy person", prompting auxiliary police officers to intervene.

Recounting why he confronted her, Hafizuddin said: "I was defending my children. I am a father standing up for my children's safety after what happened right in front of my eyes."

However, he claimed that the incident was not the first time the woman had allegedly slapped other visitors, revealing that two other individuals had also been struck by her.

Hafizuddin said he and the two other alleged victims were subsequently taken to the mall management's office, where they met with KLCC management.

Online checks by AsiaOne confirmed that the Pokémon 30th Anniversary event is listed on Ombak KLCC's official website as running from Oct 1 to Dec 31 with activities including a mall-wide stamp rally, Pokémon-themed activities and character meet-and-greet sessions.

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