Corn vendor gets RM400 fine over racist sign, wife lands in prison
Published: Feb 21, 2025 5:09 PM
Updated: 8:37 PM
Summary
Summary
- Corn vendor is slapped with a RM400 fine for putting up a racist sign.
- Sepang police say the corn vendor was also investigated under the Sedition Act.
- The DPP instructs that the 64-year-old man be charged under the Penal Code.
A corn vendor who made headlines for putting up a racist sign has been slapped with a RM400 fine.
His Indonesian wife, however, has landed in prison for three months after being convicted under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for not possessing valid travel documents.
The couple was charged in the Sepang Magistrate’s Court today and pleaded guilty to the charges read against them.
Sepang district deputy police chief G Shan Gopal said the incident, which went viral on social media, was investigated under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, Section 4 of the Sedition Act, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
“Following the police report, an arrest was made on Feb 17, at Jalan Labuhan Dagang-Nilai, Sepang. The individuals arrested were a 64-year-old man, and his 52-year-old wife, an Indonesian citizen.
“The investigation papers were referred to the deputy public prosecutor, who directed that the corn vendor be charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, with an alternative charge under Section 268 of the Penal Code.
“His wife was charged under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for not possessing valid travel documents,” he said.
Shan said the police advised the public to maintain harmonious inter-ethnic relations and refrain from making any form of provocation that could incite religious and racial sensitivities, potentially leading to ethnic tensions in this multicultural society.
His Indonesian wife, however, has landed in prison for three months after being convicted under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for not possessing valid travel documents.
The couple was charged in the Sepang Magistrate’s Court today and pleaded guilty to the charges read against them.
Sepang district deputy police chief G Shan Gopal said the incident, which went viral on social media, was investigated under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, Section 4 of the Sedition Act, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
“Following the police report, an arrest was made on Feb 17, at Jalan Labuhan Dagang-Nilai, Sepang. The individuals arrested were a 64-year-old man, and his 52-year-old wife, an Indonesian citizen.
“The investigation papers were referred to the deputy public prosecutor, who directed that the corn vendor be charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, with an alternative charge under Section 268 of the Penal Code.
“His wife was charged under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for not possessing valid travel documents,” he said.
Shan said the police advised the public to maintain harmonious inter-ethnic relations and refrain from making any form of provocation that could incite religious and racial sensitivities, potentially leading to ethnic tensions in this multicultural society.
The racist sign
Sterner action
After the incident gained attention, the corn vendor apologised for his actions, but this did little to silence those demanding stricter consequences.
Among those calling for sterner action were DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng and Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh.
Lim also proposed drafting an anti-racial discrimination law to curb and penalise the deliberate incitement of racial hatred and extremist acts targeting any community based solely on race or background.
However, National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang later stated that existing laws were sufficient to address the issue.
PAS lawmaker Ahmad Marzuk Shaary sparked another controversy by invoking the May 13 racial riots while arguing that such a law could pave the way for the abolition of bumiputera rights and privileges.
His remarks drew criticism from Lim and DAP MP Khoo Poay Tiong.
Sterner action
After the incident gained attention, the corn vendor apologised for his actions, but this did little to silence those demanding stricter consequences.
Among those calling for sterner action were DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng and Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh.
Lim also proposed drafting an anti-racial discrimination law to curb and penalise the deliberate incitement of racial hatred and extremist acts targeting any community based solely on race or background.
However, National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang later stated that existing laws were sufficient to address the issue.
PAS lawmaker Ahmad Marzuk Shaary sparked another controversy by invoking the May 13 racial riots while arguing that such a law could pave the way for the abolition of bumiputera rights and privileges.
His remarks drew criticism from Lim and DAP MP Khoo Poay Tiong.
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