A disciplinary storm has erupted within the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) after one of its active-duty officers was identified as the central figure in a viral video series where she and her travel companions made derogatory remarks about the hygiene of locals during a trip to China.
The incident, which has sparked outrage across both Malaysian and Chinese social media platforms, has led to an official investigation by the PDRM and a public apology from the officer involved, Nur Asyiqin Mohd Dalil.
The Incident: “Spontaneous” Remarks Turn Viral
The controversy began when a series of clips, originally posted on TikTok by user @ekyn.wong (later identified as Nur Asyiqin), surfaced online. The footage showed a group of Malaysian tourists, including the officer, interacting with locals in China.
In the now-deleted videos, the group can be seen:
- At a Bus Stop: While queuing to board a bus, a woman (identified as Nur Asyiqin) covers her nose and loudly asks in Malay, “It smells so bad! Did none of you shower?” directed at Chinese commuters. Another voice in the group adds, “You all stink. Do you all not bathe?”
- On Public Transport: Complaints were recorded regarding noisy passengers on a train.
In an E-Hailing Vehicle: In a separate clip, the officer films a driver, stating, “Use deodorant, please. It stinks,” and later remarking, “Chinese people smell bad. Lazy to shower.”
The videos quickly went viral, drawing sharp criticism from netizens in both countries who labeled the behavior as “crude,” “entitled,” and “racist.” Many Malaysians expressed embarrassment, fearing the actions would tarnish the reputation of Malaysians living and working abroad.
The Response: From Legal Threats to Apology
Initially, the backlash prompted a defensive reaction. Nur Asyiqin posted a statement from her lawyers on her TikTok account, threatening legal action against individuals who made defamatory statements, spread her personal information, or harassed her family. The statement claimed she and her loved ones had received threats and insults following the viral spread of the clips.
However, facing intensifying pressure and media scrutiny, Nur Asyiqin subsequently issued a public apology.
She added that she would accept all criticism with an open heart and vowed to be more careful with her conduct in the future.
Official Action: PDRM Launches Disciplinary Probe
The revelation that the individual in the video is a serving police officer escalated the matter from a social media controversy to an official disciplinary issue.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail confirmed that the personnel involved is still on active duty. Speaking at an event at the Royal Malaysia Police College, he announced that the PDRM has opened a formal disciplinary investigation paper against the officer.
“I urge all parties to be calm and let PDRM conduct the investigation as best as they can,” Mohd Khalid said. “We will look at this not just from a disciplinary angle; if there has been a violation of the law, appropriate action will be taken.”
While the specific rank and posting of the officer were not disclosed to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation, the IGP issued a stern reminder to all police personnel to uphold proper conduct and respect local cultures at all times, even when off-duty and traveling abroad.
In Malaysia, the public discourse has focused on the disconnect between the officer’s role as a protector of the public and her displayed lack of respect for others. The case serves as a stark reminder of the scrutiny public servants face regarding their conduct, regardless of whether they are on or off the clock.
The PDRM has stated that further updates will be provided once the investigation concludes.
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