M'sian Who Used George Floyd's Last Words To Sell Air Filters Says She Was Stressed By MCO
In a since-deleted Facebook post, the woman from Penang captioned it, "George Flolyd ― 8mins is what is takes for air for a life (sic). Mama I can now breathe."
Over the week, a woman in Penang decided to use the last words of George Floyd, who died after he was suffocated to death by a white police officer kneeling on his neck, to sell air filters on Facebook
In a since-deleted post, the woman shared a computer-generated image of George Floyd with "I can't breathe" written over his face along with an image of an air filter she was promoting.
"George Flolyd ― 8mins is what is takes for air for a life (sic)," she captioned her Facebook post, according to a screenshot of the deleted post, adding "Mama I can now breathe."
She reportedly took down the post after Malaysians called her out for being insensitive.
However, the woman was quoted saying that she cannot understand why people were so angry when "that is the way he died" and that she just wanted to "stretch the importance of air that's all".
She has since posted a follow-up statement on her account
In the post on Friday evening, 5 June, the woman wrote that she was stressed by the Movement Control Order (MCO) and that she used "wrong words" to boost up sales.
"There is no intention to hurt anyone. I was stressed by MCO and trying hard to get sales with wrong wordings. I am wholly responsible. I hope you all will forgive my unintentions (sic)," read her post.
In the comment section of the post, others advised her to not use the MCO excuse.
"Please bear in mind everyone is affected by MCO, don't use stupid excuses, instead a real heartfelt sincere apology is enough," wrote a Johor Bahru resident.
Meanwhile, a resident of Kuala Lumpur highlighted to the woman why it was insensitive to use someone's death to market a product and that if using George Floyd's last words were the only way she could think of to promote her air filters then she has failed as a salesperson.