“From the outset, I wish to apologise unreservedly for my Remark. While I had made the Remark during a private conversation with another individual, there is simply no excuse for such behaviour, whether in private or public. I take full responsibility for my actions and seek the forgiveness of those I have hurt, as well as the larger community.” – Nina Chua
The Apology
Nina Chua, the founder of Inara Organics who was called out yesterday (10 March 2022) for making insensitive remarks directed at the Malay community, has unreservedly apologised for her remarks.
In a statement sent to Wake Up Singapore at 3.40am on 11 March 2022, Nina took full responsibility for her actions and sought the forgiveness of those that she has hurt. The statement was also published on Nina’s Instagram page.
The Context
As many people had speculated about the context in which the remark was made, Nina shed light on why the comments were made.
She shared that the comments were made in response to a video published by shout.sg that featured 11 Singaporean Muslim women, including Hani, the influencer who called Nina out. In the video, the women divulged their personal views on topics of concern to the local Muslim community.
One of these topics that the video touched on, was the interaction between the LGTBQ+ community and Islamic practices.
Within a day of publication, the video was removed by shout.sg. Nina attributes this to “backlash from individuals within the Malay/Muslim Community who rejected the LGBTQ+ community.” She noted that Hani personally disagreed with the removal of the video.
At that moment, Nina felt upset at the “divisive” individuals who alienated the LGBTQ+ community.
“As someone with friends from all walks of life and different segments of the community, I have always believed that open discussions ought to be encouraged on seemingly controversial topics such as these, to foster greater tolerance and acceptance within the local community” – Nina Chua
As both Nina and Hani appeared to share similar sentiments about the video, Nina shared her thoughts with Hani by way of a private message.
She notes that she was wrong to have collectively referred to these group of individuals who had alienated the LGBTQ+ community as the “Malay Community”. This is inaccurate, she says, as the views of these select individuals are not representative of the views of the entire Malay community.
She also observed the irony of how she had made a discriminatory remark while expressing her own views on discrimination.
She ends her statement by repeating her apology, and expressing shame for hurting and disrespecting a community that she loves and identifies with.
The Reactions
Many in the comments section of Nina’s apology expressed support for her. However, sentiments relating to the LGBTQ+ community were a little more mixed.
One user had asked Nina to weigh in on the allegations relating to the work environment.
Hani’s Instagram Stories
In the wee hours of the morning on 11 March 2022, Hani also posted an Instagram story to explain the context of the conversation. She confirmed that the comments were made in respect of the said video.
Hani went on to say that her comments were “still wrong to generalise the entire race” and that, regardless of context, it was not right for anyone to say that.
Hani also alleged, in the Instagram stories that followed, that Nina had been “unsending” her messages to Hani. She also noted that there can be change if a person is “willing to change for the better“.
The Initial Allegations
On 10 March 2022, in a series of Instagram stories, Hani Nami, a Miss Singapore Finalist from 2018, lambasted Nina for her racist remarks. Hani, who has more than 20,000 followers on Instagram, shared a screenshot of Nina Chua saying she “fucking hate the malay community (no offence)”.
According to Hani, a majority of Inara Organics’ customers, and employees, are Malays. She also claims that Nina is “half malay”. In what appears to be a conversation between Hani and a third-party, Hani explains that Nina’s offending remarks were made in reference to a video that Hani was involved in.
The influencer then asked Nina to stop asking others for her number, and cease stalking her.
She added that Nina “talks bad about everyone, including [her] customers and the people who vouch for [her] and work for [her]”.
Since you have made it to the end of the article, follow Wake Up Singapore on Telegram!
