Ex-Liew Chin Tong Aide Apologises For Mocking Johor 7-Eleven Worker’s Vote

A man who worked at the Perling assemblyman’s office says he acted on “excessive emotion” when he posted a remark mocking a 7-Eleven worker for voting for the winning candidate — a post that went viral after DAP’s shock defeat in the seat.

Malay Mail/CK Travels

In Brief

Terrence Tey Zi Yang apologised for a since-deleted post mocking a 7-Eleven worker's voting choice during the Johor state election.
The post implied the worker deserved her low-wage job because she voted for BN's Pannir Selvam, who defeated DAP in Perling.
Tey clarified his remarks were made in a personal capacity, as he had left the Perling ADUN office two days before polling day.

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A former DAP aide, Terrence Tey Zi Yang, issued a public apology on Tuesday (14 July) after a since-deleted Instagram post in which he appeared to link a convenience store worker’s employment to her voting choice drew widespread condemnation online.

The post was published on the night of the Johor state election (Sunday, 12 July) — when DAP lost its stronghold, Perling, to BN’s MIC candidate P. Pannir Selvam — under the account terrence_tzyyy.

At 1 am this morning I went to 7e to buy Maggi Mee. The staff there working the night shift told me she voted for Pannir. No wonder you’re working at 7e.

Screenshots circulated widely before the post was removed.

The Apology, And The Explanation

In a statement posted to the same account, Tey apologised to the worker, all 7-Eleven staff, and retail workers broadly.

He also offered an explanation for why the post should not be attributed to the Perling ADUN office — where he had worked under Liew Chin Tong, former Perling assemblyman, current MP for Iskandar Puteri, Deputy Finance Minister, and DAP National Strategic Director.

I acted on excessive emotion. I had absolutely no intention of belittling or insulting the staff member concerned, nor any retail worker earning an honest living.

Tey said 10 July was his last day at the Perling ADUN office — two days before the post was published and two days before polling day — and that his statement was made entirely in a personal capacity, not on behalf of DAP Perling or the office.