https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/DarsaChicken
DAP vice-chairperson Teresa Kok has called for cooler heads to prevail over the latest incident in a string of issues related to race and religion in the nation.
Cautioning that an “eye for an eye retaliation would make Malaysia blind”, the Seputeh MP was commenting on local restaurant Darsa Fried Chicken being accused of racism.
“There is no doubt that the ‘type C’ remark was unwarranted. It is most regrettable and disappointing that even fried chicken is peppered with racial elements.
“However, the restaurant has apologised and made it clear that it welcomes people of all races and faiths. So we should move on,” she told Malaysiakini.
Kok, who noticed there were some calling for a boycott of Darsa Fried Chicken, said such an action could ruin the business and affect livelihoods.
“We should not adopt a similar mindset as those who fanned the flames on the KK Mart issue. We should not ruin Malaysian businesses.
“Given that Malaysia is a multiracial and multireligious country, there is bound to be friction just like in other countries and there will be those who attempt to capitalise on our differences – instead of celebrating the similarities – for their personal interests.
“But Malaysians should not fall prey to those with such vested interests or resort to a tit-for-tat reciprocation,” she added.
Although she did not mention names, it was obvious that Kok was referring to Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh who called for a boycott of KK Mart over the controversial socks issue on the grounds of “defending the sanctity of Islam”.
Previously, Malaysiakini reported academic Tajuddin Rasdi describing the politician’s actions as nothing more than an act of “political opportunism” aimed at boosting his popularity.
Darsa Fried Chicken, which opened its first outlet on April 29, courted backlash over its response to social media users who questioned its prices.
The outlet responded that customers should not be “duped by the negative sentiments played up by type C”, which netizens believed referred to Chinese Malaysians.
Restaurant apologises
In a statement later, Darsa apologised and called it an “unintentional mistake”, stating that its Facebook page administrator’s “focus could have been affected by the deluge of comments”.
“We welcome all customers regardless of race and religion. May the Malaysia we love remain peaceful,” it added.
Describing itself as “100 percent bumiputera-owned”, Darsa Fried Chicken is regarded as the local alternative to KFC, whose business in Malaysia has been reeling due to the boycott related to the conflict in Gaza.
Two days before Darsa Fried Chicken opened its doors, the shutters were temporarily brought down on more than 100 KFC outlets nationwide.