A chaotic and bizarre moment captured on video in Johor Bahru has taken the internet by storm, after a man — believed to be a mamak stall worker — was caught in the middle of a street fight, pleading, “不要打了，停手，停手，我只是煮 Roti Platah 的！” which translates to “Stop hitting me! I’m just the guy who makes roti prata!”
The short clip, posted on Facebook, has racked up over 21,000 views and hundreds of comments. While the video itself is only 36 seconds long, it paints a wild scene of chaos and confusion — with netizens speculating about drunken brawls, mistaken identity, and even the wrong order of roti telur being the cause.
Netizens React With Sarcasm and Sympathy
Comments flooded in with a mixture of mockery, humour, and concern. One commenter joked, “I asked for two roti kosong, why did I get roti telur?!” while another said, “Even chefs not safe anymore.”
Another sarcastically asked, “Where’s your parang?” after spotting a knife, and someone else chimed in with “Now cooking also become dangerous…” summing up the absurdity of the scene.
Some tried to sympathise with the man, who clearly looked like he was just trying to do his job when the scuffle broke out. Others called for police to take action, especially after reports surfaced that the aggressors were drunk and had prior criminal records, including drug-related offences.
Violence in Mamak Stalls Not Uncommon
Unfortunately, fights breaking out at or near mamak stalls — especially in late-night hours when alcohol is involved — are not rare in parts of Malaysia. Mamak stalls, often open till the wee hours of the morning, attract a wide variety of patrons, including those coming from nightclubs or gatherings where alcohol is consumed.
This incident, while light-hearted in some netizens’ eyes, also highlights the dangers faced by frontline F&B workers who are simply trying to earn a living.
Mamak Worker Gains Unexpected Online Fame
Despite the unfortunate situation, the “roti prata” uncle is now affectionately referred to as the “peace-loving prata man” by some online commenters. Memes are circulating, and his desperate plea — “I just cook roti prata!” — is quickly becoming a viral catchphrase across social media.
Whether or not justice will be served remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: the public is watching, and they’re rallying behind the humble cook who just wanted to serve hot flatbreads, not take punches.
For Singaporeans frequently heading across the Causeway for supper, this is a reminder that not all supper spots come with peace and quiet — but hopefully, your prata still comes crispy.