KUALA LUMPUR: Popular actor and businessman Datuk Rosyam Nor has issued an apology for a controversial statement he made regarding prostitution dens for foreign workers.
On Jan 7, during the 'Hitam Putih Kehidupan' podcast that was uploaded to the Suhan Channel on TikTok, Rosyam said prostitution dens are needed as a 'facility' for the workers, many of whom left their wives behind in their home countries to earn a living here.
He described them as a means to curb and reduce the crime of rape involving foreign workers.
Rosyam, whose real name is Mohamed Noor Shamsuddin, 57, said that he never expected such a statement to go viral leading it to be misunderstood and garner various reactions from netizens and members of the public.
"There has been a lot of commotion these past few days about the issue of prostitution dens, brothels, because apparently I made a statement. Whatever it is, allow me to please apologise first and foremost because who would have thought that it would go viral," he said via a post on Instagram (IG) earlier today (January 9).
Rosyam also appealed for everyone to watch the full video that has been uploaded to the Suhan Channel on TikTok and think, make the appropriate assessment for themselves.
"Actually, it was for the podcast programme on the Suhan Channel. It was a discussion, so I feel it is better if everyone spares some time and go to Suhan Channel to watch the video in entirety to see what was being discussed.
"Thank you for being mindful and alert towards the surrounding and situation, once again I apologise for what has been said, what has happened," he said.
However, Rosyam stressed once more that it was just his personal opinion and he asked netizens and members of the public to think and judge for themselves.