It is no new knowledge in Malaysia, that a certain Baling Member of Parliament has been called out for uttering racial remarks in Parliament, aimed at Batu Kawan Member of Parliament Kasthuri Patto.
Despite the apology for uttering “Too dark, cannot see” and “Put on some talcum powder”, the considerable backlash can still be witnessed as various community members have risen up slamming the racial slur and the MP for uttering such obscenities.
Joining in the bandwagon, comedian Kavin Jay has also stepped up to the plate condemning the action of the MP, stating “2020 and this is still happening.”
In his 2-minute video, @KavinJay spoke of how the word gelap (dark skinned) uttered by the MP, is racist.
“All I am saying is if the context is racist, and you’re calling out someone just for the colour of your skin then, it’s racist.”
Not wanting to stick to just the colour of one’s skin, @KavinJay also talks about the usage of the K-word commonly used to put down Malaysian Indians in this country.
“Oh there’s a street with that name in Penang, it’s okay ma”
No, it’s not okay. pic.twitter.com/o4Yyt6hi5W
— Kavin Jay (@KavinJay) July 16, 2020
“The word keling has been thrown around in Malaysia like…very nonchalantly. It is a word.”
“It shouldn’t hurt you, It is a word.”
“NO! The thing is a word CAN hurt you. The word is used to show that you are lower than me.”
Look, people. We are better than this ok? How can we preach Black Lives Matter when even amongst Malaysians we still call each other derogatory terms?
Ending his video, here is what @KavinJay has to say.
“We shouldn’t normalise this word. The word keling should not be normalised.”
“Don’t use the word keling and don’t judge a person by the colour of their skin.”
That’s not so hard, right?
Also read: Should MP Baling’s Recent ‘Gelap’ Apology Be Considered Enough?