Humiliating experience for disabled
By CHARLES FERNANDEZ
WHEELchair-bound U. Gobinathan, 22, vowed never to set foot at the Tesco outlet in Sungei Manggis, Banting, after a body search by a security guard on July 17.
Gobinathan, who was on a motorised wheelchair, exited the cashier counter after p
aying for his goods and was stopped on suspicion of shoplifting.
Humiliated: Gobinathan said he was mistreated by the security personnel. He was asked to remove his shirt in front of a large crowd but the guard did not find any stolen item.
The guard was instructed by the counter clerk to conduct a body search despite Gobinathan’s pleas.
The youth, who suffers from multiple disabilities, pleaded with the guard and showed the receipts for items he bought.
“Since the incident, everywhere I go people look at me differently. I feel humiliated and don’t have a place to go in the evenings,” said Gobinathan, adding that the shopping mall was his favourite hangout place.
By CHARLES FERNANDEZ
WHEELchair-bound U. Gobinathan, 22, vowed never to set foot at the Tesco outlet in Sungei Manggis, Banting, after a body search by a security guard on July 17.
Gobinathan, who was on a motorised wheelchair, exited the cashier counter after p
aying for his goods and was stopped on suspicion of shoplifting.Humiliated: Gobinathan said he was mistreated by the security personnel. He was asked to remove his shirt in front of a large crowd but the guard did not find any stolen item.
The guard was instructed by the counter clerk to conduct a body search despite Gobinathan’s pleas.
The youth, who suffers from multiple disabilities, pleaded with the guard and showed the receipts for items he bought.
“Since the incident, everywhere I go people look at me differently. I feel humiliated and don’t have a place to go in the evenings,” said Gobinathan, adding that the shopping mall was his favourite hangout place.
Led by its president, Francis Siva, and secretary Reena Kaur, 20 members from the Independent Living and Training centre (ILTC) staged a protest in front of the mall on Tuesday. They demanded an explanation and expressed dissatisfaction over the manner Gobinathan was treated.“This incident is another black day for the disabled as they feel isolated from society. The incident has devastated the youth,’’ said Siva.
Reena said the management owed Gobinathan an explanation as to why he was treated in such a manner despite showing the security guard a receipt for his purchases.
Gobinathan’s mother S. Devaki, 52, said her son felt really down after the incident and his self-esteem had hit an all-time low.
Two senior staff from Tesco headquarters in Mutiara Damansara and the store manager had a 30-minute meeting with four representatives from the ILTC.
Tesco public pelations manager Dazrene Aznil Darus said the incident was a misunderstanding.
“They asked for compensation in the form of employment for Gobinathan’s two-wheelchair bound sisters. We have to discuss the matter at corporate level,” said Dazrene.
Tesco Malaysia corporate affairs director Marlene Kaur said they viewed the matter seriously.
“Our security personnel were carrying out their duties and we apologise for any inconvenience caused,” said Marlene.
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