'No selling to orang keling': Video of racist stall owner goes viral
Published: Feb 15, 2025 9:46 PM
Updated: 12:46 AM
Summary
- A woman captures a video of a stall owner who put up a racist signage, barring Indians from purchasing from him.
- When confronted, the lady claims the stall owner started behaving aggressively.
- The stall owner’s racism draws condemnation from a minister and MIC leader.
A video has gone viral on social media after a roadside stall owner was found displaying an offensive signage on the table he uses to sell roasted corn.
The stall, which is said to be located in Kota Warisan, Sepang, placed a sign which reads, “Sorry, ini jagung tiada jual sama orang keling.” (Sorry, we don’t sell this corn to the Indian community)
The keling word is a derogatory term used against the Indian community.
According to an unnamed Indian woman who recorded the video yesterday, she said she came across the stall while passing by the area.
“I stopped and told the stall owner that it was a racist statement and asked them to remove it.
“However, the stall owner, a man, pointed his finger at me, to the extent of even touching my nose, and started behaving aggressively.
“I started feeling very unsafe and walked away to a nearby restaurant,” she said using Tamil and English.
‘Why the apathy?’
However, the lady claimed the stall owner tailed her and started recording her movements, an action which she reciprocated.
The stall, which is said to be located in Kota Warisan, Sepang, placed a sign which reads, “Sorry, ini jagung tiada jual sama orang keling.” (Sorry, we don’t sell this corn to the Indian community)
The keling word is a derogatory term used against the Indian community.
According to an unnamed Indian woman who recorded the video yesterday, she said she came across the stall while passing by the area.
“I stopped and told the stall owner that it was a racist statement and asked them to remove it.
“However, the stall owner, a man, pointed his finger at me, to the extent of even touching my nose, and started behaving aggressively.
“I started feeling very unsafe and walked away to a nearby restaurant,” she said using Tamil and English.
‘Why the apathy?’
However, the lady claimed the stall owner tailed her and started recording her movements, an action which she reciprocated.
A screenshot showing the offensive signage being removed
After the incident, she questioned the Indian community’s apathy toward the stall owner’s racism.
“I can see a lot of Indians walking up and down this area. Did anyone question this man? Did anyone lodge a police report against this?
“If you have seen the actions of the man (the racist signage), I urge all of you to lodge a police report like what I did.
“This stall is located in Kota Warisan, Sepang…right opposite Holiday Inn Hotel,” she added.
The lady claimed that she tried to take a video of the stall again but a lady who was also manning the place took the signage away.
“So, my friends, I hope you can see what’s happening in our country. Think about it,” she added.
‘Shocking’
MIC deputy president M Saravanan expressed shock over the controversial video and called on the government, especially the National Unity Ministry, to take immediate action.
He emphasised that such behaviour does not represent the entire Malay community, but rather reflects the actions of a few misguided and extreme individuals.
After the incident, she questioned the Indian community’s apathy toward the stall owner’s racism.
“I can see a lot of Indians walking up and down this area. Did anyone question this man? Did anyone lodge a police report against this?
“If you have seen the actions of the man (the racist signage), I urge all of you to lodge a police report like what I did.
“This stall is located in Kota Warisan, Sepang…right opposite Holiday Inn Hotel,” she added.
The lady claimed that she tried to take a video of the stall again but a lady who was also manning the place took the signage away.
“So, my friends, I hope you can see what’s happening in our country. Think about it,” she added.
‘Shocking’
MIC deputy president M Saravanan expressed shock over the controversial video and called on the government, especially the National Unity Ministry, to take immediate action.
He emphasised that such behaviour does not represent the entire Malay community, but rather reflects the actions of a few misguided and extreme individuals.
MIC deputy president M Saravanan
“The danger is that it could provoke a reaction from other communities, such as an angry Indian Malaysian trader displaying a similar sign, potentially sparking a chain reaction of hostility,” he told Malaysiakini.
The former minister stressed the importance of nipping such incidents in the bud, as allowing such behaviour to persist can be extremely dangerous.
“The propagation of racial slurs and hate speech threatens to tear apart the social fabric of Malaysia, fuelling division and mistrust among different communities,” he added.
Saravanan underscored that the dangers of racism, if left unchecked, could lead to long-term negative consequences for the country.
He said to safeguard the nation’s unity and harmony, it is essential that all forms of hate speech, racial slurs, and discriminatory behaviour are swiftly addressed and eradicated.
“The danger is that it could provoke a reaction from other communities, such as an angry Indian Malaysian trader displaying a similar sign, potentially sparking a chain reaction of hostility,” he told Malaysiakini.
The former minister stressed the importance of nipping such incidents in the bud, as allowing such behaviour to persist can be extremely dangerous.
“The propagation of racial slurs and hate speech threatens to tear apart the social fabric of Malaysia, fuelling division and mistrust among different communities,” he added.
Saravanan underscored that the dangers of racism, if left unchecked, could lead to long-term negative consequences for the country.
He said to safeguard the nation’s unity and harmony, it is essential that all forms of hate speech, racial slurs, and discriminatory behaviour are swiftly addressed and eradicated.
National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang
National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang panned the stall owner’s action after it was brought to his attention.
“Actions or statements that can affect harmony among multiracial Malaysia are unacceptable and cannot be compromised.
“As a multiracial country, we must protect our peace by not allowing anyone to make statements or conduct themselves in a manner that hurts any community’s feelings,” he said on X.
National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang panned the stall owner’s action after it was brought to his attention.
“Actions or statements that can affect harmony among multiracial Malaysia are unacceptable and cannot be compromised.
“As a multiracial country, we must protect our peace by not allowing anyone to make statements or conduct themselves in a manner that hurts any community’s feelings,” he said on X.
Tindakan atau kenyataan yang boleh menggugat keharmonian antara kaum dan agama di negara ini adalah tidak boleh diterima dan dikompromi.
Sebagai sebuah negara yang berbilang bangsa, kita mesti sentiasa menjaga kesejahteraan dan keamanan dengan tidak membenarkan sebarang… Show more
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kt comments:
Sickening racism - I'm just sick of such nonsense
Strictly speaking, a Keling is a native of the historical region of Kalinga. That is roughly the South-Eastern seaboard of the Indian Sub-continent, corresponding to the geographical region from where most Indian Malaysians ancestors originated from.
ReplyDeleteLots of Penang Hokkien people still call Indians Keleng-Kia
That's why there is the Kapitan Keling mosque in Penang ( and road named such), and the suburban tow. of Tanjung Kling in Malacca, and a curry recipe of South Indian origin called Kari Keling no insult involved.
Miot unfortunately that in Malaysia and Singapore the word has been used as a racial insult.