Malaysian teacher-influencer apologises, admits video of her going through students' bags was sponsored content

KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 — A Malaysian schoolteacher who is also a content creator has apologised following a circulating video of her going through her student’s bags.

The teacher, Shi Qi also known as ‘qiwiie’ who has over a million followers on TikTok, was in hot water after she posted a video recently that resulted ib social media users condemning her for violating of the students’ privacy.

Following the online outrage, Shi Qi has taken down not just the video, but most of her content involving students on social media as well.

She posted an official apology via social media, admitting that the video was a sponsored content.

“I would like to apologise to the parents and individuals who were offended by a recent video I posted. I am really sorry.

“The video was sponsored content. It was filmed during break time and I placed the gummies into the bags before the shoot. I looked through the student’s bags, took out a gummy and ate it.

“There were no students in this video, unlike the rest of my recent videos where parental consent was asked and granted, I did not seek consent before opening the bags as they were used as props. This is an oversight and my fault, which I deeply regret,” she wrote in the apology note.

Shi Qi added that she had taken down the video 20 minutes after it was posted, however, some copies of it have already made rounds across social media.

Following her apology, some followers on her TikTok’s comment section were seen agreeing that there should be a line drawn between content creation and teaching while others showed their support to the influencer.

Awani previously reported that the video had come to the attention of oEducation Minister Fadhlina Sidek who said that the Ministry is looking at the matter and will take any action once an official report has been submitted.