Indonesian Embassy asks Malaysian gov’t to ban ‘demeaning’ ad

This advertisement of a cleaning equipment in Malaysia has been deemed offensive by Indonesian authorities. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—The Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has sent a letter to the Malaysian Home Ministry in protest of an advertisement deemed to have discredited Indonesia.

The advertisement, promoting an automatic vacuum cleaner, had the wording “Fire your Indonesian maid now!” Indonesia’s Antara news agency reported on Wednesday.

Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Herman Prayitno slammed the advertisement, calling it insensitive and demeaning to Indonesians, and asked Malaysian authorities to ban the advertisement.

The embassy has also asked the Malaysian government to ensure that such a case does not occur again.

Aside from sending a note in protest of the advertisement, the embassy has also assigned its lawyers to meet with the company’s representatives and to consider taking legal measures.

The embassy has also reported the case to the Selangor police.

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