Shah Alam district police chief ACP Baharudin Mat Taib said the 25-year-old worker, an Indian national, was not injured in the incident at 12.30pm on Tuesday.
“In a police report, the restaurant owner said his worker had told three local male customers, in their 30s, politely not to smoke,” Baharudin said in a statement today.
“One of them immediately slapped him on the face. They then paid up and left.”
In October, the health ministry had announced a smoking ban at all restaurants, kopitiam, hawker centres and open eating places nationwide effective Jan 1.
Those found smoking in the banned areas face a fine of up to RM10,000 or two years’ jail, while food premises allowing smoking can be fined a maximum of RM2,500.