What We Know So Far: The Chukai farmers’ market assault case

SHAH ALAM - The brutal assault of a person with disability (PwD) at a farmers’ market in Chukai, Terengganu has sparked widespread outrage nationwide.

The case, which began with a viral video, has seen new developments, including multiple arrests and differing narratives about the incident.

Here is what we know so far.

Jan 17: Police Launch Investigation into Viral Assault Incident

The disturbing incident came to light after a one-minute and 52-second video went viral, showing a man being violently beaten by several individuals at the Padang Astaka Farmers' Market in Chukai.

According to acting Kemaman District Police Chief, Deputy Superintendent Wan Muhamad Ja’far, the 47-year-old man with mental disabilities was involved in an accident where his motorcycle collided with a vendor's stall, resulting in the spillage of goods.

"Preliminary findings indicate the victim accidentally hit a stall, leading to goods falling. This prompted several individuals to assault the victim.

The injured man was taken to Kemaman Hospital for treatment," Wan Muhamad said.

He added that the case is being investigated under Section 147 of the Penal Code for rioting.

Jan 19: Victim’s Character Defended by Former Schoolmate

As public outrage grew, a friend of the victim, known as ‘Cikgu Mie,’ defended him on Facebook. He identified the victim as Ahmad Nor Al Faizan Jusoh, 47, a former schoolmate at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Sheikh Abdul Malek.

"That disabled man is my friend, my senior. He is not unintelligent or uneducated in religion, but Allah has tested him with a mental illness," he wrote.

He described Ahmad as a hardworking man who tried various businesses despite his struggles with mental clarity.

Mie condemned the attackers and urged the community to reflect on their actions and set better examples.

"As rational and religious Muslims, we should exercise wisdom and understanding before acting,” he said.

Jan 19: Victim’s Wife Speaks Out

The victim’s wife, Faridah Abdul Karim expressed her devastation over the attack, describing it as "inhumane and heartless."

"I was heartbroken when I saw the video of my husband being beaten, dragged and even having fried noodles poured over his head.

"When he asked for water to wash his eyes, he was kicked in the head again. Why treat him that way? He is a human being, not an animal,” she said.

Faridah also said that her husband repeatedly apologised during the assault but was still attacked. She thanked those who intervened to stop the attack and urged others to act with compassion.

Jan 20: New Allegations Emerge About Victim’s Behaviour

According to a local portal, the victim displayed erratic behaviour prior to the accident. Witnesses reported that he was riding his motorcycle recklessly within the market, using profanity and nearly struck a child.

Eyewitnesses also claimed that tensions escalated when he crashed into a vendor’s stall, triggering the violence.

While some argue these allegations offer context, they do not justify the severity of the assault. Critics questioned whether such mob behaviour reflects a descent into lawlessness.

Jan 20: Fifth Suspect Detained Amid Public Outcry

The police detained a fifth suspect, aged 40, in connection with the assault. Wan Muhamad confirmed that the suspect was arrested while giving a statement at the Kemaman District Police Headquarters.

"To date, five men aged between 18 and 60 have been detained. We are conducting a transparent investigation to ensure justice is served," he said.

Jan 20: Victim's Recovery and Government Intervention

The victim is currently stable and receiving care at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital’s psychiatric clinic. During a visit by Terengganu State Welfare Exco Maliaman Kassim, Ahmad appeared cheerful but bore visible physical injuries.

Maliaman emphasised the importance of avoiding hasty judgments about the state’s safety.

"What happened was triggered by a segment of the community unable to control their emotions but we should not generalise this behavior to all of Terengganu's people," he said.

He also called for better family supervision to prevent such incidents in the future.

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and has sparked discussions about community values, emotional control and the treatment of vulnerable individuals in society.