“They’re Being Probed For The Video, Not Their Attitude” — Homeless Man Defends Influencers

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The homeless man featured in a controversial prank video involving a group of influencers has defended them, expressing gratitude for the food they gave him

Speaking to China Press at the ground floor of a building in Johor Bahru, the man, who identified himself as Dannis, recounted the incident, saying he was resting when five individuals approached him and handed him a packet of chicken rice containing mostly bones.

He said three of the individuals were the influencers shown in the video, while the other two were believed to be the cameramen.

"I didn't know what their intentions were. I thought they were giving me food, so I opened it and saw it was chicken rice, but it had a lot of chicken bones in it," the Chinese daily quoted him as saying.

Despite the contents, Dannis said he's always grateful to anyone who offers him food, even joking that receiving food is his job

He added that the young men later returned to apologise for the incident, but he assured them he did not take offence and had never blamed them.

"To me, they are my brothers.

"They [are being probed] for the video, not their attitude," he told a China Press reporter during the interview that lasted at least 12 minutes.

The homeless man shared that he was born in Perak and raised in Johor. He also took the opportunity to push back against public perception that he just idles at the spot where he sleeps, suggesting that he does work to earn a living.

Over the weekend, an Instagram video went viral showing three people eating fried chicken at a fast food outlet before handing the leftovers and bones to a homeless man

After coming under fire, the video was taken down, and the content creators uploaded another video apologising for the incident.

They claimed that it was just a stunt, and that they had given the homeless man a full meal after recording the video.

However, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) criticised the video, stating, "Making and sharing content that takes advantage of the less fortunate for cheap entertainment, views, or attention is wrong and upsetting to the public."

The commission has since recorded statements from the individuals involved, and the case is currently being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities.

If found guilty, the influencers may face up to two years' imprisonment, a fine not exceeding RM500,000, or both.