THE MIC has expressed shock over a recent viral video which shows a corn (jagung) seller brazenly displaying a sign that reads "Sorry, ini jagung tidak jual sama orang Keling".
Apart from the fact that he refuses to sell his corn to Indians, he has also used a derogatory term (Keling) to describe the Indian community.
According to reports in Focus Malaysia, MIC deputy president M Saravanan called for immediate action by the government, especially by the National Unity Ministry.
"Things like this should not be happening in our society.
"I stress that this person's inappropriate action does not represent the Malay community, but that of a misguided and racist individual," he said.
Netizens also criticised the action by the trader, warning that this could trigger a hostile reaction.
Others urged those who took the video to lodge a police report, while some netizens asked about the location of the stall.
Saravanan said 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.
Meanwhile, in a report in The Star, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar in responding to the incident, said Malaysians must exercise caution in their words and actions to avoid offending others in this multiracial country.
He emphasised the importance of mutual respect and sensitivity, especially concerning racial issues.
“We must be careful with our words, actions, and the sensitivities of different communities."
"This is a sensitive matter. Society must be mindful, and we do not want any words or actions to provoke anger among different races."
"Respect and mutual understanding are essential,” he said at the Jalinan Muhibah Madani programme during a Chinese New Year celebration.
National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang also condemned the stall owner’s behaviour, stressing that any act threatening national harmony is unacceptable. - February 16, 2025
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