“Edi Rejang,” the controversial figure at the center of a viral video clip that saw him chastise a Carlsberg employee in a Kuala Lumpur supermarket, has now apologized to “all Malaysians, especially the female promoter” after widespread condemnation.
#EdiRejang has apologized to all Malaysians, especially the lady promoter for his mistake. Let's put this behind us and learn from this. His family is not at fault, so don't make them into victims in this unfortunate incident. We can and shall be better. https://t.co/sKanxhSWRm pic.twitter.com/4iMEbS34IA
— TuanMasbro Babahmu Turoi Bongkersz (@bonqkersz) November 20, 2018
In a 45-second clip that he uploaded to Facebook at 1:30am this morning, he came forward as the suspected man, expressed his apologies, and admitted “my wrongdoing and regret my actions against the said promoter. I hope this issue will not be prolonged as I have met Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng and apologized.” He added that he hopes he will soon be able to meet with the same woman he berated earlier this week to personally express his remorse.
https://twitter.com/fiqsunny/status/1064930711352692736
Lim had previously filed a police report on the matter, alleging that the woman’s modesty had been insulted.
Widely shared across social media earlier this week, a clip of “Edi” saw him approach a woman working as a Carlsberg promoter at a Giant supermarket in Ampang Point. Despite the fact that the woman was in the non-halal, alcohol section of the shop, the suspect began to harangue her for shilling beer to “everyone,” including Muslims.
In Malaysia, it is technically illegal for Muslims to buy alcohol under Sharia law, although the law is rarely enforced outside of two of the more conservative states on the east coast of the country.
Many lauded the woman’s calm demeanor explaining that she was only approaching non-Muslims, and the fact that she maintained her cool even after “Edi” demanded that she respond to him in Bahasa Melayu, as this was Bumi Melayu (land of the Malays). Questioning his anger at the situation, the woman boldly asked the angry man if he was racist. Making angry hand gestures, “Edi” yelled more obscenities before walking away.
Others commented that the entire scenario played out to some of what they believe are running themes in Malaysia.
Having seen the clip circulate online, Malaysians by-and-large condemned the man’s actions, with many wondering what kind of individual would make his way to the alcohol section to complain about all of the alcohol.
However, one of the more alarming consequences of the incident was how rapidly the suspect’s details were shared online, including where he worked, photos of his family, and name of the school his daughter attended.
As a result, by Tuesday, he deactivated his Facebook account, and many Instagram photos were removed as well.
One user tried to lightly keep things in perspective, and remind the population that it wasn’t too long ago that not only was alcohol directly marketed to Muslims in Malaysia — they were in the ads themselves.
https://twitter.com/briang0mez/status/1064566457055375360
However, many expressed their desire to put the past behind them after the suspect came forward to apologize, saying that it was an experience to be learned from.
