Probe workplace racism claims of man killed in accident, urges former minister

 

Former human resources minister M Kula Segaran has urged authorities to investigate claims of workplace racism by a man who rammed a car into his former office and set it ablaze.

The man was then killed in an accident involving a lorry when fleeing the scene.

“Referring to the sad news that a man from Ipoh, who on video, lamented about his misery and depression at the workplace despite performing well but then later was told he had ‘performance issues’.

“I am saddened by the ordeal he had to go through before his death. This should have been avoided.

“I urge the police and the Human Resources Ministry to immediately investigate the matter and take serious action if the company is found guilty of what was alleged,” the Ipoh Barat MP said in a press statement today.

It was reported earlier today that a 52-year-old manager who was terminated from his job had crashed a car into his former office before throwing a petrol bomb at the premises in Ipoh, Perak.

He later died after being hit by a lorry when he fled the scene on foot.

Prior to the incident, the man purportedly posted a 14-minute video on YouTube, where he complained of suffering tremendous stress due to work-related issues.

In the video which has since gone viral, he also claimed that the company’s management allegedly racially discriminated against its employees and showed copies of two police reports he had lodged on the matter.

Kula Segaran said to prevent such incidents from happening again, there needs to be a new approach when dealing with employees who may or will lose their jobs.

“The Human Resources Ministry needs to engage industries which may be in the process of relieving their workers, in a dialogue, and find ways to avoid the situation. Priority to save jobs must prevail.

“The government must also be sensitive to the rising stress of employees as the Covid-19 pandemic has caused uncertainties in the economy, resulting in businesses trimming their workforce or shutting down,” he said.

He also offered his condolences to the family of the deceased man.

Ipoh police chief A Asmadi Abdul Aziz had earlier said that the police were looking into the man’s allegations but urged all quarters to wait until the police conclude their probe and produce their findings. - Mkini