ALOR STAR: The operator of a Penang-based milk donut business, which recently faced backlash over an inappropriate slogan that went viral, has apologised to its customers and changed the name of its product.
In a TikTok post on the account Aulaida, the operator, in response to widespread criticism, said the controversial video was not their original idea but rather a performance based on instructions given to them.
"For everyone's information, 'berayaq' means the doughnut melts in your mouth when you eat it, and 'jet' refers to kicking.
"And to clarify, that phrase is not our tagline and the video that has recently gone viral was not our idea to discuss that matter.
"We were just acting out what we were directed to do. Hopefully, this answers all questions," said the TikTok message.
The operator also announced that they had rebranded the product from Donut Susu Berayaq to Bertanah Donut Susu.
"We accept all your feedback and both of our accounts have been renamed as 'Bertanah'," added the operator.
The operator also expressed regret if netizens misinterpreted their video.
Recently, it was reported that certain quarters had criticised the milk donut trader's use of a marketing slogan that could allegedly be considered vulgar at a food festival in the state.
Izharul Khairi Taharuddin, the Malay Student Alliance of Peninsular Malaysia (GPMS) Kedah chairman, condemned the marketing approach, claiming that it sparked dissatisfaction among the public, especially those concerned about the moral development of young people.
"It recently went viral on social media about a business participating in the Fantastic Food Fest by Kak Nab at Stadium Darul Aman, which used the tagline 'berayaq' to sell their doughnut products.
"The use of the word considered indecent and disgusting has raised concerns among the public, especially those who are worried about the moral development of young people," he said in a statement yesterday.