Video not recorded in Malaysia, say cops
SUNGAI PETANI: The video of two women getting their heads shaved after being caught for allegedly stealing at a clothing outlet was not recorded in Malaysia.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said checks revealed that the viral video was likely recorded in Latin America.
“I have referred the video to the police after it went viral. I was told that it was not recorded in Malaysia and could originate from South America,” Dr Subramaniam said at the groundbreaking ceremony for the RM8.1 million SJK(T) Taman Keladi project here yesterday.
Dr Subramaniam, who is also MIC president, urged social media users to stop circulating the video with the intention of inciting racial sentiment among Indians in Malaysia.
The two-minute-46-second clip shows two women allegedly Indian getting their heads shaved after allegedly caught for theft at the outlet.
In Kuala Lumpur, it was reported that the police had clarified that the incident did not take place in Malaysia.
In a statement released by Bukit Aman yesterday, its corporate communications head Senior Assistant Commissioner Datin As-mawati Ahmad said checks revealed that the incident occurred in Maracaibo, Venezuela, last year.
“It did not happen in Malaysia as claimed by some irresponsible parties,” she said.
The clip went viral on social media, particularly on WhatsApp.
Asmawati said the message that came together with the video claimed that the women were punished by a Malay shop owner for stealing at his premises.
“Following this, racist remarks were incited and shared on social media.
She advised the public to exercise prudence when accessing news shared on social media and not fall prey to unscrupulous parties’ intentions.
“People are advised to not play up issues that touch on racial or religious sensitivities, which can affect the peace and harmony of this multiracial country,” she said.