While homestays are cheaper alternatives to hotel rooms, there is a concern that the units might not be so safe. There have been numerous reports of customers finding hidden cameras in their rented units, which strikes fear about where the footage goes. Recently, a local woman took to TikTok to share her experience finding a hidden camera in her homestay in Penang.
The TikTok user, Aien, wrote in the caption, “Penang trip turns into (a) disaster. We haven’t slept since yesterday morning. The nightmare keeps replaying in our minds since it happened. I don’t know how to cope, how to be okay. I feel mentally and emotionally drained.” According to the video, the camera was inside an empty dehumidifier container with a hole cut out on the side to fit the lens. The entire setup was on a shelf in the bathroom, believed to have been facing the shower. In another video, Aien revealed in a police report that she discovered the camera while showering. She immediately took out the batteries from the camera to turn it off.
https://www.tiktok.com/@i.njw/video/7333128402167287042
After lodging a report with the police, Aien met with a representative from the management to ensure that the camera did not contain any footage or photos of her. However, the woman did mention that she is worried about the possibility of the footage being live-streamed without her knowledge. Aien also noted that she does not have solid evidence that the homestay host possesses recordings of her and cannot proceed with taking action against the host.
Many netizens have reacted to the videos, expressing shock over the hidden camera. While Aien did not mention the name of the homestay, many previous customers recognised it as a popular homestay in Georgetown, based on the unit layout shown in the video. Many of the customers were concerned that they may have also been victims. Others urged the TikTok user to share more information, hoping it would help bring more awareness to the case and the homestay unit.
So far, there have been no updates on whether the host has contacted Aien about the hidden camera. We hope the authorities will take action against the person who planted the camera.
UPDATE (14th February, Wednesday):
Following the viral video, police have arrested a man to assist in investigation regarding the hidden camera found in bathroom the Penang homestay. According to Timur Laut police chief Razlam Ab Hamid, the 20-year-old suspect was detained in Kuala Lumpur following information from the public and police surveillance. The case will be investigated under Section 509 of the Penal Code for outraging the modesty of a person.
