Local television presenter Sheahnee Iman Lee shocked many Malaysians with her recent Instagram post which sheds light on the racism still common in the country. In her post, the wife of local media personality Naz Rahman expressed her regret and frustration towards a group of teenage boys who harassed her mother on a Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) train after she reprimanded them for entering the women-only coach.
Sheahnee said she received a message from her 72-year-old mother, a retired school teacher with 40 years of service, as the elderly was traveling on a KTM train from Klang to KL. The message explained that the emcee’s mother had encountered a group of young men in the women’s coach but when she confronted the boys, they responded rudely and threateningly. They reportedly said, “We are Malaysian!” and “This is MY country”, seemingly targeting her due to her skin color.
Sheahnee, who is Chinese-Australian, remarked in her post that while her mother may be white, she is more Malaysian than many who claim to be, as she has lived in this country for 50 years. The media personality added her mother has witnessed the country’s skyline grow taller but, unfortunately, also seen the mindsets of some become narrower and more intolerant.
The mother of three also shared that KTM has reached out personally to her to take the report of the incident and were empathetic and receptive to her feedback. However, when informed that all trains have an intercom button you can press to get help in the event of an incident or emergency, Sheahnee argued that the incidents where a woman is trying to reach an intercom could be difficult as it could provoke the outnumbered large group of males.
As the incident happened over the Merdeka weekend, Sheahnee urged Malaysians to raise their children with more respect, expressing concern about the future if the next generation grows up without respect for women, elders, and rules. She advised the boys involved in the incident, saying, “Please take this as a lesson. You are still young; it’s not too late to change. When it comes to women and the elderly, please show respect. Imagine if the victim were your mother or sister. I’m not mad, but sad. Youngsters, please change. Be better. Be MORE. You’re the hope of our nation!”.
Source: Instagram
Sakinah contributed to this article.
