KUALA LUMPUR: Producer and composer Edry Abdul Halim, 48, recently spoke out about an incident where his autistic son, Emery, 17, faced harsh treatment at a local restaurant.
Edry emphasised that his intention was not to shame anyone but to encourage greater awareness and empathy for individuals with disabilities (OKU).
"I don't want to punish or humiliate anyone, which is why I didn't disclose the restaurant's name.
"My goal is to raise awareness and foster understanding about the challenges faced by this special community," Edry told BH Online.
Recounting the incident, Edry revealed his disappointment when his son was scolded and chased away after taking a drink.
"If a drink is taken, it can be paid for. Was it necessary to call security as if we were causing trouble? I even had to label my own child 'crazy' for them to grasp the situation. It's heartbreaking," he said.
He contrasted this experience with a situation abroad, sharing an encounter in Manchester.
"My son misbehaved on a tram, and I expected reprimand from a bystander.
"Instead, the man scolded us for being too harsh on a disabled child, reminding us to be more understanding.
"This highlights a stark difference in attitudes towards people with disabilities between foreign and Asian communities," he said.
Edry lamented that societal biases often lead Asian families to isolate disabled children out of fear of judgement.
Previously, Edry took to Instagram to urge the public to give special groups the space to lead normal lives and to call for better treatment to help them integrate into society.