Guan Eng Akmal Call For Punishment Against Racist Corn Seller

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The incident involving a racist corn seller has united strange bedfellows in calling for punishment.
DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng said the incident was a reality check highlighting the need for an anti-racial discrimination law while Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh said the seller should be punished under existing laws.
In a statement, Lim said that an anti-racial discrimination law should check and punish deliberate acts of inciting racial hatred and extremist acts targeted at any community purely on grounds of race or background.
“An Anti-Racial Discrimination Act is necessary to stop extremist politicians or irresponsible individuals from indulging in hate speech or signages, provocative acts and lies to divide Malaysians by fomenting hatred or unfair treatment towards a particular community.
“The unfortunate incident in Sepang involving an ordinary trader refusing to sell corn to Indians and using derogatory language is extremely disturbing and indicates the extent to which such unhealthy and irrational racist sentiments have influenced certain segments of society,” Lim said yesterday evening.
The Bagan MP added the incident was a reality check that must be addressed by enforcement and punishment.
Failure to do so, he warned, could lead to a breakdown of racial and religious harmony in the country.
A video that went viral on social media over the weekend showed a roadside stall selling roasted corn displaying an offensive sign.
The stall - said to be 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)
Keling is a derogatory term used against the Indian community.
‘Apology not enough’
The seller had apologised for the sign in a video released last night.
“I as a small trader admit the poster was offensive, with a bad word. I admit I was wrong and I apologise to all Malaysians, especially Indians.
“I urge consumers to support sellers. This happened unintentionally, I did not expect this to happen, this was ignorant and my actions were wrong.
“I ask Indians, Chinese, Malays, to forgive me,” the seller, who was identified as Abdul Aziz Musa said.
Responding to the apology, Akmal said that this did not suffice and warranted criminal punishment.
“No matter who does it, the law must be enforced to serve as a lesson to others.
“If not, this culture of ‘act first, apologise later’ will become more prevalent and such people can easily escape!” he said. - Mkini

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