The recent controversy surrounding a corn seller’s racist signage in Sepang has sparked a broader debate on how Malaysians should respond to casual racism.
A small corn stall in Sepang became the center of a nationwide controversy when a handwritten sign went viral. The sign read, “We don’t sell to k*l*ng,” a racial slur directed at Indians in Malaysia.
The backlash was immediate. Some Malaysians were outraged, calling for legal action and accountability. Others, however, felt sympathy for the elderly vendor and were willing to forgive him after he apologized in a TikTok video. He claimed he never meant to offend anyone.
This incident raises an important question: How should we, as Malaysians, respond to racism? Are we too quick to forgive, or should we be firmer in holding people accountable?
Why Malaysians Tend to Forgive
Malaysia has long been a country that values compromise and tolerance. With a history of different cultures living side by side, the ability to let things go and move forward has been a big part of how we maintain harmony.
Many who defended the vendor said that he was just an old man trying to make a living and had already suffered enough from public scrutiny, a fine, and the legal consequences faced by his wife, who was arrested for an immigration-related offense. Some believed that punishing him further would only deepen social divides rather than fix the root problem.
One Facebook user said, “Don’t punish him, educate him la.” Another pointed out, “It was a mistake, let’s move on.” Others argued that people should have room to apologize and be forgiven instead of being endlessly vilified online.
Historically, Malaysians have chosen forgiveness over prolonged conflict in many situations. Whether during politically charged racial tensions or casual workplace discrimination, many prefer to avoid confrontation in favor of moving forward peacefully.
But does this leniency come at a cost?
Can Racism Be Excused?
On the other side of the argument, many Malaysians feel that forgiveness should not mean ignoring racism.
For decades, casual racism has been normalized in Malaysia. Many don’t see it as a big deal because it’s so ingrained in everyday interactions—whether it’s racial stereotyping, ethnic slurs, or even job discrimination. The concern is that when we brush these things off as “small matters,” it signals that racism is socially acceptable.
One Facebook user expressed frustration, saying, “If no action is taken, what stops the next person from doing the same?” Another wrote, “This wasn’t a mistake, it was a choice.” For many, the issue was not just the sign itself but what it represents—a deeper, underlying acceptance of racial discrimination in daily life.
Looking at how other countries handle racism, some nations take a strict legal approach. In Germany, hate speech is a criminal offense, and in the US and UK, racial discrimination can lead to lawsuits and fines.
At the same time, some countries emphasize education and rehabilitation over punishment, such as Canada and New Zealand, where racial incidents often result in community service and sensitivity training instead of immediate legal consequences.
Malaysia has yet to define where we stand on the issue. Do we follow the path of strict enforcement, or do we emphasize education and reconciliation?
The Middle Ground: What Should Malaysia Do?
At the heart of the issue is a difficult balancing act: how do we discourage racism without deepening racial divides?
If we lean too heavily on forgiveness, we risk allowing casual racism to persist unchecked. If we focus only on punishment, we risk fostering resentment instead of change.
Malaysia’s strength has always been its diversity, but that strength is not automatic—it is something we have to nurture and protect. How we respond to racism today will define the kind of society we become in the future.
The answer isn’t just about punishment or forgiveness, but about creating a culture where racism is naturally undesirable—not because the law says so, but because society itself rejects it.
Using social media to shame racism
One approach is turning social stigma into a powerful deterrent. Legal action may hold individuals accountable, but in Malaysia, social shame often carries more weight than a fine or jail sentence.
Instead of immediate harsh punishment, first-time offenders could be given rehabilitation programs—such as community service in multiracial spaces, cultural sensitivity workshops, or restorative justice sessions where they engage directly with those they have wronged.
Community leaders, businesses, and even local influencers could take the lead in setting social standards against racism.
Imagine if businesses could apply for a “Zero Tolerance” certification—a visible sign at their store that assures customers they serve everyone fairly. It would be a market-driven initiative that lets customers choose to support businesses that actively promote inclusivity.
Another example would be to create a viral social media campaign that could humorously debunk racial stereotypes, using a mix of facts, personal stories, and humor to make people more aware of their unconscious biases without feeling attacked.
Rather than fueling division, this approach encourages understanding, reflection, and actual change.
Rebranding “race talk” in Malaysia: A Game-changer?
The real challenge isn’t just in punishing racism or forgiving it—it’s in reshaping the way Malaysians think about race altogether.
Conversations about race in Malaysia tend to be uncomfortable or avoided altogether because people fear being labeled racist or overly sensitive.
But when we remove fear and defensiveness from race conversations, we create a society that is more open to learning and changing.
Changing hearts with a conversation
A subtler approach is “Name & Repair” instead of “Name & Shame”. Right now, when someone is caught making a racist remark, they are immediately pushed into a defensive corner, often denying their actions or issuing half-hearted apologies just to escape the backlash.
Instead of simply being fined, offenders could be invited into a public reconciliation process, where they sit down with members of the community they offended, listen to their stories, and engage in an honest conversation.
These sessions could be broadcast online, such as a podcast, allowing others to learn from the experience, turning moments of controversy into teachable moments that reshape social attitudes.
This doesn’t mean going soft on racism; it means ensuring that offenders actually learn from their mistakes instead of becoming resentful and doubling down on their views.
Conclusion: What Kind of Malaysia Do We Want?
Malaysia is at a crossroads. We have long prided ourselves on being a harmonious, multicultural nation, but if we don’t address racism in a way that actually changes social behavior, we risk becoming more divided than ever.
Legal action should still exist, but it needs to be proportional and fair. The challenge lies in finding a balance—a way to hold people accountable while also giving them the opportunity to learn and do better.
The real question is: Are we willing to make that effort? Or will we continue the cycle of outrage, apology, and forgetting—until the next controversy comes along?
One Facebook user summed it up best: “If we become too harsh, we risk division. But if we’re too lenient, we risk normalizing racism. So where do we draw the line?”
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