By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, March 26 — State executive councillor for rural development and unity Datuk Rizam Ismail has said any any form of speech or action which could jeopardise racial harmony must be avoided to ensure the people's well-being.
He expressed his sympathy and concern over the recent incident involving a sales representative of Dayak descent from Miri, Sarawak, who was reportedly subjected to verbal abuse and threats while carrying out her duties at the Central i-City shopping centre several days ago.
"As the exco member representing matters of unity and consumer affairs in Selangor, I wish to emphasise that the safety and dignity of every individual, regardless of racial background or origin, are of utmost importance and must always be safeguarded," Rizam said in a statement today.
As such, he welcomes the ongoing investigation by the Royal Malaysia Police and trusts that justice will be served fairly.
"To all the people of Selangor, let us continue to strengthen mutual respect, uphold the values of courtesy and civility, and take this incident as a lesson to prevent such occurrences in the future.
"May we continue to build a caring, united, and supportive society — this is the true strength of Selangor as a harmonious and prosperous state," Rizam said.
The incident on Sunday (March 23), which was captured on CCTV and went viral on social media, saw a sales assistant verbally abused with threats after she asked a customer if he had 50 cents in change to purchase an ice cream.
Besides making a racial comment, the customer also threatened to handcuff the sales assistant, despite the efforts of his wife, who was accompanying him, to calm him and defuse the situation.
