Viral clip of 99 Speedmart staff exploding at customer reveals Malaysians’ deep-seated prejudices

 

AS often said, Malaysians view virtually everything through race-tinted lenses. These deep-seated prejudices and racial profiling will lead them to conclusions based on a person’s ethnicity rather than fact.

Take for instance a 15-second Facebook clip on Malay-language Utusan Melayu Plus Facebook page that has been making the rounds on social media.

It shows a staff, purportedly from of the 99 Speedmart outlet in Taman Putra Prima, Puchong going absolutely berserk at an elderly customer.

No reason is apparent for the severe outburst from the staff as the clip is incomplete. However, the customer could be heard muttering a half-hearted “sorry la, sorry la” for apparently having uttered profanities at the overly sensitive young staff.

But this didn’t stop commenters from zooming in on the fact that the staff was a (presumably) young Malay chap while the “Uncle” was Chinese. Cue plenty of racial stereotyping for the clip that has fetched 12.3K likes, 1.6K comments and 619 shares at the time of writing.

Many of the comments seem to centre on the protagonists’ race. One observer claimed that the Chinese were quick to use foul language but were as quick to be apologetic when told off.

Of course, there were those who supported the raging staff who saw his outburst as a sign of Malay self-righteousness. One commenter even contended that more Malays needed to adopt this young man’s “fighting spirit”.

Undisguised racism was apparent in various comments that sought to paint the Chinese customer in a bad light.

Best of both worlds

One commenter claimed that the Chinese were experts at provoking and then playing the victim card. Another simply put it down to the Chinese dietary habit of consuming pork for their “swine-like attitudes”.

Some other commenters simply saw it as more evidence of Malays being trampled upon in their own land with the Chinese becoming ever “more powerful politically”.

The racist invective wasn’t confined to that site alone. The video was also shared on the Chinese language ILifePost 爱生活 Facebook page.

Here the venom was directed at “rude typically Malay or Indian staff” who “are always chatting or on the phone”. This commenter wondered how Chinese customers even dared to speak up to get some form of service.

Another made reference to “first class citizens” which highlight the deep schisms that exists in Malaysian society. He asked why hasn’t the employee been terminated for having a superior attitude?

It was claimed by commenter Panda King that the Malays would insult the Chinese with the “bodoh (stupid)” remark but when the latter retaliated in kind with “sohai (id*ot)”, all hell breaks loose.

It doesn’t make for pleasant reading but what a sad state of affairs when Malaysians jump to conclusions based on ethnic identities.

Among all the racist invective, one commenter sought to calm the waters by asking keyboard warriors to refrain from making random comments based on conjecture, assumptions and stereotypes.

Given the socio-political climate at the moment, it is doubtful that such a rational request would be entertained. 

- focus malaysia