THE topic of halal and haram can be quite a sticky one in Malaysia. So it comes as no surprise when a Malay man drew attention for frequenting a Chinese shop.
In the viral video, the Malay man who was drinking a cup of tea in a coffee shop was told by a Chinese uncle that the place was not halal.
It was an amiable conversation with the Malay man stating that he was here for the Chinese tea and coffee which were delicious. He even thanked the Chinese man for his concern.
Prihatin uncle tu. Kena tegur dengan uncle cina sebab duduk kedai makan tak halal 👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/PD7yCQmU2r
— kamaghul deghaman (@kamaghul) May 12, 2025
However, the internet community was not so forgiving. Netizen @NieFeng14 said another customer comes ordering a pig, eats the pig then drinks the coffee with his mouth that chewed on the pig. Then the cup is washed with soap only. “Then you drink from the cup too,” he warned.
Adding to his comment was @cuteeribbon that although it was just a drink, the cup is mixed around with the plates and bowls.
Another netizen cautioned that there are tea products on the market which contain pig. “Some of the reason why they used pig is to increase the flavour and taste of the tea. Also, there is the issue of fake halal logos,” he added.
However, the Malay man had his defenders too. @enzeamom claimed that the problem of pig being transferred is no simple matter.
“Let’s assume David eats pig and he holds the cup, then the cup is contaminated. What about David’s hand? Does that mean the muslims cannot salam with him? Don’t be like this, friends.”
Also, @azfar_yusof said he often frequented the Chinese coffee shop as he enjoyed the coffee and the half-boiled egg there.
According to him, it is the Chinese shop that makes some of the best half-boiled eggs, claiming that it was beautiful even when smashed up.
‘When I arrived in Kelantan, the shop selling Roti Titap with the beautiful smashed egg also had a Chinese boss,” he said.
While we are not the religious authorities or experts on the matter of religion, we think it is vital to point out that at least, the conversation between these two men of different faith was a harmonious one.
Malaysia, being divided as it is, can certainly benefit from the spirit of camaraderie displayed by the Chinese uncle and the Malay man. —May 6, 2025
Main image: @kamaghul (X)
