Kota Kinabalu: The man who subjected a p-hailing rider from Sabah to a deadly chokehold on Nov 2 while on delivery duty in Kuala Lumpur has apologised.
The man, known as Blazer Merah, is heard apologising in a 53-second footage posted on a Tik Tok account belonging to one ranggi017, on Wednesday.
“I am known as Blazer Merah and apologise to the people of Sabah or everyone for my verbal expression as displayed in the viral video,” said the man in the footage, which appeared to be recorded in a coffeeshop.
The man went on to say that he did not want the incident to occur and that he did not want it to prolong.
“I have no problem with anyone, also no problem with the people of Sabah, I love everyone, I love Sabah, and there really is no problem.
“I apologise once more and I thank everyone who wants to help solve this case,” he said in the clip.
His apology elicited varied emotions, with many accepting it and saying it should serve as a lesson, while others expressed disgust and demanded that the situation be brought to justice.
The incident with the Sabah p-hailing rider generated outrage among many who believed the assailant’s allegation that the Sabahan must be a foreigner because he (rider) spoke Malay with a different accent, demonstrating the peninsula’s ignorance about Malaysians in Borneo.
They said this was despite Malaysia’s formation 60 years ago because Sarawak and Sabah agreed to be equal partners with Malaya and Singapore (which left in 1965).
The issue also grabbed the attention of Sabah Members of Parliament who raised it in Parliament.
