Social media users upset over derogatory term used by influencer during AR Rahman concert

PETALING JAYA: An insensitive post by an influencer who used the derogatory term "keling" has gotten social media users upset over her inappropriate comment.

Keling or Kling is a derogatory term used in parts of South-East Asia to denote a person originating from the Indian subcontinent.

Recently, the influencer with more than 118,000 followers posted an Instagram story that went viral when she was attending the “AR Rahman: Secret of Success Live in Malaysia 2023” concert at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.

She wrote that she was dizzy listening to the "keling" song and wanted a Hindustani song sung by Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza.

Netizens condemned her and called her out for her insensitive remark.

@Kesavan49 sarcastically called her out for her audacity.

“Wow. The audacity. Seriously girl?” he tweeted.

@omarfaayiz said Rahman is from India and if the influencer does not like his music, why go to the concert in the first place.

“What do you expect? AR Rahman menyanyi lagu Gemilang ke?? He is literally from India, kenapa kau pergi at first place when you know seating dia pon based on his music?” he tweeted.

Social media user @chor tweeted that the influencer was insensitive and asked why she was there if she did not like the songs.

The influencer’s profile has since been switched to private.

Following the backlash, she posted an apology claiming that she did not understand the word and that she did not intend to insult any race, especially Indians.

She added that she was over excited as it is her first time attending such a large-scale concert.

Although the apology has been made, social media users are still not happy and are not buying her apology.

A netizen said although she did not understand the song, she was enjoying it along with the crowd.

“I am one of those who do not understand the language. Yet, we enjoyed the music. It is not right to make such racist remarks,” she wrote.

Siti Nurhaliza wowed Malaysians with a near-perfect rendition of the classic “Munbe Vaa” with popular Indian vocalist Haricharan Seshadri.

Siti’s stunning performance captivated the audience of close to 60,000, who erupted with thunderous applause and wild cheers as soon as the 44-year-old Malaysian idol appeared on stage.