A DAP lawmaker has condemned the sacking of an employee of a famous Chinese beef bun restaurant in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur for wearing a chain with a crucifix.

Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said it was highly discriminatory for the restaurant to act in such manner.

He said it was also against the freedom of religion in the country.

“I am deeply concerned about the level of racial and religious tolerance in the country, which could be a threat to national unity and harmony,” said Yii, as reported by Borneo Post.

“The restaurant concerned should have just released a statement assuring the people that all guidelines on halal food preparations are being strictly followed.

“There was no need to sack an honest worker who was merely exercising his right to express his faith.”

Yii said the sacking was uncalled for and non-Muslims should not be prevented from preparing halal food so long as strict requirements and standard operating procedures are followed.

The Chinese restaurant is a Muslim-friendly outlet, and the furore began after a customer uploaded a video showing the employee wearing a chain with a crucifix, asking if the eatery was truly Muslim-friendly in its food preparation.

That viral video has since been removed.

What angered internet users the most was the management’s reaction. Instead of standing up for its employee, it dismissed him immediately.

“Such a situation cannot be allowed to fester and spread to Sabah and Sarawak where we live in peace and harmony. Here, we respect each other and their beliefs in a multi-religious setting,” Yii said.

He urged the government to take stern action to address this issue and send a clear message that discrimination and fear-mongering would not be tolerated. – November 21, 2023.