Nabil Luqman

0f9d2dd4f71434084e2b6094de1865e23abb37bb9f28ca51feeabee679ec9be2

Social

Issue

Viral

Airbnb

Racism

Race

Property

Bentong

Streotype

Living in Malaysia means to embrace our culture and live in peace and harmony in a multi racial society. But unfortunately, we don&rsquo;t seem to be anywhere close to it just yet.
Recently, a post had gone viral on social media with over 7.6K retweets and 18.5K likes. A Malaysian woman named Eleanor had called out a property on Airbnb racist as the agent had turned down their booking due to her boyfriend being an Indian.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
"No indians allowed" My boyfriend and his family were planning out our annual Christmas trip and we found what we thought was a beautiful Airbnb called Bentong Eco Wellness Resort 文冬生态度假村. I called the host, Daniel, who is supposedly one of the property's agents. <a href="https://t.co/KoGHTjL6pp">pic.twitter.com/KoGHTjL6pp</a>
&mdash; Eleanor (@eleanor_226) <a href="https://twitter.com/eleanor_226/status/1542117820741619712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
Eleanor had stated that she and her boyfriend were planning to book a homestay for his family&rsquo;s annual Christmas trip and had called up the property agent to clarify some questions about the property before deciding to book it.
She and the agent had also spoked in mandarin during their conversation and initially all went smoothly. But things took a turn when her boyfriend reached out to the same agent as he was asked to declare his race upon asking about the Airbnb.
Typically, everyone would get confused on why someone would do such thing and naturally he had asked upon the matter. The agent replied that they would only rent it to Chinese and Malay people and had also cancelled their booking following the conversation.
<img src="https://c.tenor.com/SJs5cifAD1UAAAAM/rude-jack-black.gif" />
&nbsp;
Why did the agent cancel the booking?
<img src="https://cdn1.myc.com.my/image/upload/v1656662758/unsigned/c7sxp2kkog13wyrnsc3f.jpg" />
&nbsp;
Netizens not too happy with the Airbnb agent
As this kind of behaviour is unacceptable to most, netizens had sympathised with the woman.
I too have faced something similar to this when my friends booking was rejected due to him being Chinese.
Someone even pointed out how this is a violation of Airbnb&rsquo;s policies and terms and conditions.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Actually, this is a violation of AirBnB&rsquo;s policies and terms and conditions. They are in violation and should be held accountable. Either rent or leave the platform&hellip; AirBnB&rsquo;s T&amp;Cs reflect US law where this is illegal.
&mdash; Jordan Dea-Mattson (@jdeamattson) <a href="https://twitter.com/jdeamattson/status/1542350406822440960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2022</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Here's some of the reaction from netizens:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
Attitude is not belongs to any race.. it is all about the individual behavior itself.. dont ever relate any crime,attitude or anything to any race or religion..
&mdash; Mr. P (@andikatharuna) <a href="https://twitter.com/andikatharuna/status/1542210081097662464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2022</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
I've experienced this for years trying to rent a room in KL. Frustrated, so eventually just decided to rent an entire place by myself. I now sub-let (with landlord's permission) out the middle room and I have zero race, religion or nationality requirements.
&mdash; Aaron Mathew (@CikguAaron) <a href="https://twitter.com/CikguAaron/status/1542450775070167040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2022</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Kannn!! Yang kotor tu sifat manusia bukan bangsa ergh geramnya
&mdash; واوا (@azwafateeha) <a href="https://twitter.com/azwafateeha/status/1542231030244945920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2022</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Airbnb reached out to the woman
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
Hi Eleanor, Airbnb does not condone discrimination in any way. You can view our Nondiscrimination Policy here: <a href="https://t.co/VkaZDgSkpi">https://t.co/VkaZDgSkpi</a> We'd like to look into this, please send us a DM with the email address connected to your account, so our team can follow up. Thank you. <a href="https://t.co/WCQEFGIlXC">https://t.co/WCQEFGIlXC</a>
&mdash; Airbnb Help (@AirbnbHelp) <a href="https://twitter.com/AirbnbHelp/status/1542183184913276928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2022</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The company had told Eleanor that they will be looking into the matter and had since taken down the listing off their app.
Unfortunately, there are many more agents out there doing the same thing across Malaysia.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
The owners and their management team needs to do better. I believe the agents are just the messengers. The decision-makers shouldn&rsquo;t have imposed this ridiculous &ldquo;requirement&rdquo;.
&mdash; Eleanor (@eleanor_226) <a href="https://twitter.com/eleanor_226/status/1542191734951620609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2022</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Eleanor had just hoped that the owners and management will need to do better in the future. She does not blame the agent upon the decision of the home owners but she does stand that race is a ridiculous &ldquo;requirement&rdquo; for Airbnb hosts in Malaysia.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
&nbsp;
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media, Airbnb &amp; various cross references for context.
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The couple were planning for a family Christmas trip but were denied after agent found out her boyfriend is Indian. 

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#Racist Airbnb Host Cancels Couples Booking Due To “No Indians Allowed” Rule

#Racist Airbnb Host Cancels Couples Booking Due To “No Indians Allowed” Rule

The couple were planning for a family Christmas trip but were denied after agent found out her boyfriend is Indian.

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