How did Malaysians react to hate speech directed at a migrant?

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Malaysians Showed Empathy and Kindness When Asked to Translate Hate Speech Targeting a Migrant

In a social experiment designed to gauge public reaction to xenophobia, a man posing as an Indonesian migrant approached Malaysians at a mamak stall and requested assistance translating hateful Facebook messages. Instead of relaying the discriminatory content, the individuals approached displayed compassion, offering support and even misrepresenting the messages as positive affirmations. The experiment, documented in a viral video created by KDU University and College students, aimed to highlight that Malaysians are generally opposed to racism.
Participants Refused to Translate Racist Messages

When presented with messages such as "Get whoever smuggled you in Malaysia to smuggle you back to your home country" and "Malaysia don’t have enough space for you," the Malaysians encountered at the mamak stall in Klang demonstrated a clear reluctance to translate the hate speech. Their immediate response was one of sympathy towards the migrant, with many opting to advise him to disregard the negative comments. This refusal to participate in spreading xenophobia underscores a prevalent sentiment against such discriminatory language.
Offers of Kindness and Support Were Extended

Beyond simply refusing to translate the hateful messages, several participants actively offered kindness and support to the migrant. One individual offered to buy him a meal, demonstrating a willingness to help someone perceived as being in distress. Others went further by fabricating positive translations, stating that the messages spoke of him being "hardworking" and "handsome," or that he was "welcome to Malaysia." These actions illustrate a desire to protect the migrant from the hurtful nature of the online abuse.
An Elderly Couple Left the Scene Ashamed

The experiment also captured the reaction of an elderly couple who, upon reading the hate speech messages, became visibly uncomfortable and quickly left the scene. Described as "disgusted" and "ashamed," their swift departure indicated a strong moral objection to the content. This reaction suggests that for some, the exposure to such racism was deeply unsettling, leading them to withdraw rather than engage with or translate the offensive remarks.
The Experiment's Viral Impact and Underlying Message

The video documenting this social experiment, created by a team of five KDU University and College students, achieved significant virality, garnering approximately two million views. According to the video's producer and director, Esmend Lee, the core objective was to demonstrate that Malaysians are fundamentally against racism. The experiment was inspired by similar viral content and aimed to counter negative stereotypes by showcasing an outpouring of empathy and a rejection of hate speech directed towards migrant workers.

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How did Malaysians react to hate speech directed at a migrant?

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