BUKIT GANTANG: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has urged Malaysians to view the recent controversy involving the chief operating officer (COO) of MyBurgerLab as a vital lesson in social responsibility and sensitivity.
Saifuddin said the episode served as a reminder of the importance of preserving harmony in Malaysia’s multicultural society.
“I followed the post and the company’s swift response.
“The company clearly demonstrated that it takes the matter seriously and acted responsibly.
“They promptly issued a statement and terminated the COO’s employment after he expressed regret over his remarks,” he told reporters after attending the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency’s Kampung Angkat Madani programme at Dewan Perdana, Trong.
Yesterday, it was reported that MyBurgerLab had terminated the employment of its COO, Andrew Chong, following his social media remarks on the penalties imposed on Muslim men in Terengganu who fail to attend Friday prayers without valid reasons.
Saifuddin said the incident highlighted attempts by certain parties to unnecessarily inflame public sentiment and reiterated the need to uphold the country’s long-standing social fabric.
“Our nation’s social fabric has enabled Malaysians of various backgrounds to live together in peace and harmony for decades.
“But this peace is not guaranteed, especially if sensitive issues are not addressed with care.
“Statements that touch on racial and religious sensitivities must be handled cautiously.
“If we understand where the red lines are, we can refrain from crossing them,” he said.
He also commended the company for its proactive steps in handling the situation.
“That is a move I commend. The company responded swiftly, not only accepting the individual’s apology but also taking decisive action by terminating his employment.
“This is the kind of response the public expects, not just words of regret, but real action.
“Beyond that, the company has also committed to implementing internal awareness programmes to ensure its staff are more attuned to societal sensitivities,” he said.
He urged the public and corporations alike to draw lessons from the episode and continue fostering mutual respect within Malaysia’s diverse society.
Earlier this week, the Terengganu government announced that Muslim men in the state who miss Friday prayers without a valid reason could face a fine of RM3,000 or up to two years’ imprisonment.
Chong had posted on X in response to the announcement: “Slowly but surely, if Malaysia is taken over by extremism, we will become Iran after the revolution, i.e. what you see today, and that should scare everyone.”
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