Malaysian Chinese social media influencer Choo Hao Ren has issued a public apology after being filmed using his phone to record a video while the national anthem was being played at an event.
The incident, which went viral online, drew widespread criticism. In a statement posted to his social media accounts, Choo admitted his actions were inappropriate and expressed regret for not standing solemnly and singing the anthem with respect.
“I am deeply sorry for my behaviour and will ensure I act more appropriately in such situations,” he said.
Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has urged authorities to take punitive action against Choo, saying the matter was about patriotism, not race or politics.
“This is not a question of race or political party, but about how it’s the responsibility of all Malaysians to respect this country. That’s why we want such people to be punished severely,” Dr Akmal wrote in a Facebook post.
He stressed that the call for punishment was not to sensationalise the matter, but to uphold the importance of respecting the nation.
This is not the first time Choo has faced public backlash. In 2021, he sparked controversy with a promotional video for a skin-whitening product that featured a female influencer in brownface. He later apologised and removed the video following widespread criticism.
