PENANG BEACH BOYS IN HOT WATER AGAIN
Rohingya’s attack on tourist sends shockwaves through local community
THE recent incident of a Rohingya man caught for outraging the modesty of a Qatari tourist at a popular beach here has put the spotlight on beach boys in Penang yet again.
The Rohingya’s crime has sent shockwaves here as it involved a beachboy who was accused of attacking a tourist.
Such an incident is hardly heard of in Penang, which has gained a solid reputation as a tourist haven — known for its beaches, food and charming island lifestyle.
Not surprisingly, beach boys have come out strongly against media reports linking the attack to one of their own.
Several beach boys, operating watersports activities in Batu Ferringhi, have denied that the suspect involved in the alleged rape attempt on the Qatari tourist at Monkey Beach last week, was one of their own.
One of them, who only wanted to be known as Man, said the Rohingya who had been arrested and charged for the offence was not a beach boy but merely a horse caretaker.
Man said the incident, widely reported in newspapers and also picked up on social media, had painted a negative image of beach boys here.
“We are here to make a living as beach boys. However, the negative action of one person — who is not even a beach boy, has affected us all,” he said.
Man, who is in his 40s and has been working on the Batu Ferringhi beachfront for almost 20 years, said some tourists were now staying away from beach boys and this had hurt business.
“I hope this will pass quickly. I have not heard of any negative incident involving beach boys and tourists for a long time.
“Hopefully, this will be the last... the suspect has been charged and let’s see what happens from here,” he said.
Another beach boy, known as Zul, said he had been working for at the same beach for 15 years and no foreigners were allowed to work as beach boys.
“For locals like us, we have to take courses to familiarise ourselves with the ins and out of safety when working as a beach boy.
“In fact, we have been unhappy when outsiders, like the Rohingya man, are employed to take care of horses. This is because they lack knowledge and communication skills, making tourists uncomfortable with their presence,” he said.
It was reported that Sayed Salam Abu Bakar Sidik, 31, was charged at the magistrate’s court here last week for assault with intent to outrage the modesty of a Qatari tourist last month.
The Rohingya man, who is a UNHCR card holder, was accused of committing the offence under Section 354 of the Penal Code.
He faces a maximum 10 years’ jail or fine or caning or both if convicted of the crime.
The case has been set for mention on Aug 15.