Jempol district police chief Hoo Chang Hock said the incident occurred at about 1am after the restaurant cashier allegedly raised his voice at a woman who disputed the price. This caused her son to become angry and he threw a tissue box at the cashier.

“A restaurant employee who witnessed the incident then punched the son, resulting in a free-for-all among workers and patrons too. The restaurant has a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, but it was not functioning.

“Following that, police opened an investigation paper under Section 323 of the Penal Code and the case will be referred to the deputy public prosecutor’s office immediately,” he said in a statement today.

Hoo also denied allegations that police had intervened to resolve the case as police took action in accordance with the set procedures without taking sides.

He also urged patrons in the restaurant to come forward to assist in the investigation and advised the public not to speculate on social media which could disrupt the investigation and public order.

A one-minute and 41 seconds video of the said fight went viral on Twitter.