Ras Adiba, president of an NGO called OKU Sentral, urged the authorities to take strong action against those involved in the “heartbreaking” incident in Chukai, Terengganu, Bernama reported.

“Footage of the incident that went viral is so heartbreaking to watch because the victim was on his own and was dragged and kicked by a group of citizens, over an offence that we believe was unintentional.

“What is even more disheartening is that those present at the scene merely stood by and watched without offering any assistance,” she was quoted as saying.

Ras Adiba added not knowing that the 47-year-old victim was mentally disabled was no excuse for physical violence.

The disability-rights advocate and former newscaster said disabled persons faced various challenges daily, and that the violence against the victim in Terengganu was deeply troubling.

Police have arrested four suspects aged 18 to 60 to assist in the investigation into the assault. The group of men had attacked the victim after his motorcycle caused several items from one of the stalls to topple.

Separately, the victim’s wife, Faridah Abdul Karim, said she was heartbroken when she saw the video which depicted her husband being dragged, kicked and beaten before fried noodles were poured over his head.

Faridah, 44, said the actions of the perpetrators were inhumane when her husband, Ahmad Nor Al Faizan Jusoh, had repeatedly apologised for knocking into the stall.

“When my husband asked for water to help wash his eyes after having fried noodles poured on him, one of the individuals kicked him in the head,” said the mother of five.

“If he was really at fault and had intentionally collided into the stall, they should have just resolved it amicably. They could have met me to discuss the issue, I would have been willing to compensate them for their losses,” she said.