Police arrested a 43-year-old man, identified as a security guard with the initial B, on Saturday after he was caught on CCTV cameras slapping a nurse, identified as HM, at a clinic in Semarang, Central Java.
The video, taken on Thursday, shows B arguing with HM who was behind the reception counter, with the latter reportedly asking the former to wear a face mask in accordance with the clinic’s policy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead of complying, B was seen slapping HM in the forehead.
Speaking to Kompas, HM said she was merely reminding B of the clinic’s policy.
“The man took his child in for observation … We reminded him that face masks are mandatory, and that the doctor won’t see anyone without a mask. He couldn’t accept it and he got angry,” she said, adding that B also threatened to slit her throat before eventually walking out of the clinic without having his child checked.
HM and the clinic reported B to the police, leading to his arrest on Saturday.
Police say B, who works as a security guard at an elementary school, has been charged with assault, for which he may face up to two years and eight months in prison.
B conveyed his regret for slapping HM during a press conference held by Semarang Police on Sunday.
“I was confused because I wanted my child to get checked out for a fever and a cough, but I was told to wear a mask,” he said.
“I only knocked the nurse in the face. I did not assault her.”
