A PJ restaurant owner urges Malaysians to treat foreign workers with kindness after sharing a painful incident that sparked widespread online support.
FOREIGN workers in Malaysia often take on the 3Ds—dangerous, dirty, and difficult—jobs that locals may avoid.
Yet, despite their crucial contributions, they frequently face discrimination and are looked down upon.
A restaurant in Petaling Jaya has recently made a heartfelt plea for Malaysians to show them kindness and understanding.
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In a Facebook post, the owner of a restaurant known for its Ipoh-style cuisine, highlighted one of the biggest challenges faced by both locals and foreign staff: communication.
“In staff meetings alone, I often switch between English, Malays, and Cantonese; sometimes all in one breath.
“When it comes to our Myanmar or Bangladeshi team members, it can feel like opening a mystery box…you never quite know which language will work.”
He noted that similar hurdles arise with customers, who often speak a variety of languages when placing orders.
“That’s why I believe the responsibility is on me. Training is necessary, at least the basics. So our waiters can serve you better, faster, and with fewer ‘lost in translation’ moments.
“Being a waiter at Ipoh Ipoh isn’t easy. So please give me a little time. Let me train them, shape them, and help them grow. Step by step, we’ll do better for you,” he wrote.
The owner also recounted a painful memory of one of his foreign workers being called “bodoh” (stupid) by a customer—an incident that remains vivid in his mind.
He urged Malaysians to remember that foreign workers are human beings with their own struggles.
“A harsh word may pass quickly for us, but it can stay with them for a very long time. All of them are far away from home, in a country that is not their own, speaking a language they are still trying hard to learn.
“They are here because they are trying to honour their responsibility as a child, a parent, or simply someone who wants to provide a better life for their family.
“A small inch of your patience, a gentler tone, or even a moment of understanding can mean the world to them.
“Sometimes, kindness is not about being right; it’s about being human,” he wrote.
The post quickly gained traction online, with many netizens praising the owner’s empathy.
One user called Lynda Chen wrote: “No one likes to be humiliated, especially in public and I like your caption ‘kindness is not about being right, it’s about being human’. Let’s be kind to one another.”
“It’s heart-warming to know you value kindness and respect. Every worker deserves to be treated politely, with compassion and understanding. We love what you’re doing to make people’s working lives better,” Aktiv ASPAC commented.
