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Certain members of KLP48, the Malaysian sister group of Japan’s iconic 48-member all-girl idol group AKB48, is facing heavy criticism from fans and the general public after screenshots of a WhatsApp conversation involving alleged racism leaked online.
The group’s management has since issued an official statement on KLP48’s website regarding its members Shyan, Amanda, Ann Drea, Hillary, Khalies and Salwa.
“Following an internal review, KLP48 Management has confirmed six members of the KLP48 First Generation violated the Group’s rules governing member conduct. This matter is taken very seriously by Management and has caused concern and disappointment,” the statement said.
A strict official warning was issued to the members involved, and the group’s management promised to take stronger and immediate disciplinary action which may include suspension from activities, demotion, or termination, should any further violations occur.
WhatsApp group chat with “xenophobic” name leaked online
On 19 December, an X (formerly Twitter) user shared screenshots of a WhatsApp group named “not the colonizers” with names of Malaysian KLP48 members visible in the chat. Japanese members of the group appear to be excluded from this group chat.
In screenshots of the chat, some of the KLP48 members are seen speaking negatively about Japan and their Japanese colleagues.
The matter later spread like wildfire on social media and fan forums, with many expressing their disappointment towards the members involved.
Following the case, some X users highlighted that only six out of twelve members appeared for a meet & greet and performance at the recent Comic Fiesta event last weekend (20 and 21 December) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Not the first time an AKB48 sister group faced accusations of bullying
In 2018, Maho Yamaguchi, a member of AKB48 sister group NGT48 based in Niigata, Japan, was allegedly assaulted by two male fans at the entrance of her apartment.
Yamaguchi later claimed that a member of her group had leaked her home address to the two male fans.
A report by CNN said that NGT48’s management later confirmed a member of the group had told male fans when Yamaguchi would return home. The two men were arrested on suspicion of physical assault on the female pop idol but was later released.
Yamaguchi later implied that her management company did nothing to those involved in her assault.
Currently, active AKB48 global sister groups include: JKT48 (Jakarta), BNK48 (Bangkok), MNL48 (Manila), AKB48 Team SH (Shanghai), AKB48 Team TP (Taipei) and CGM48 (Chiang Mai).
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Local J-Pop Group Members Under Fire For Alleged Racism Against Japanese Counterparts
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