A father in Kedah, Malaysia, was left distressed when a Nepali man attempted to abduct his three-year-old daughter, brandishing a knife at the child's neck outside a restaurant in Pekan Jeniang today.

The incident occurred around 7:10 am as the 31-year-old father went to pay for and pick up his breakfast order at the restaurant, leaving his daughter alone on a motorcycle with her legs inside the frame about six meters away.

The suspect, a 26-year-old man, seized the opportunity to approach the unattended child, supporting her before taking a few steps back while pointing a knife at her neck.

Kuala Muda District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Zaidy Che Hassan, stated that according to witnesses, the suspect was speaking an unfamiliar language, identified as Nepali.

"The suspect seemed to be asking the father for money to buy food while the father was in front of the suspect at that time. The panicked father tried to calm his daughter and persuade the suspect to release her for about two to three minutes.

"In an attempt to seize an opportunity while the suspect was distracted, onlookers managed to grab the suspect from behind and apprehend him with the assistance of other bystanders and the victim's father. The child was then successfully rescued," he said.

He mentioned that based on investigations, a report had been filed by the suspect's employer on November 8, stating that the suspect had run away.

"In the initial investigation, it was found that the suspect came to Malaysia to work at a factory in Sungai Lalang a month ago, and due to work pressure, he ran away from his employer.

"According to the preliminary investigation, the suspect's motive for such actions was the overwhelming pressure in his life and hunger, as he had not eaten for several days," he added.