Disabled man cries foul over eatery's alleged discrimination

A disabled Petaling Jaya Councillor claimed he was discriminated against when he wanted to dine at an eatery in Mid Valley Megamall.

Upon visiting the eatery yesterday, an activist for the disabled Anthony Thanasayan, claimed that he had intended to sit at a particular corner but instead was denied by a staff. Anthony, who is wheelchair bound said, he was concerned his wheelchair would cause a hindrance to other patrons if he was seated at the area directed to him.

He then requested for a different area but was denied by a manager.

Anthony claimed that the staff said this to him:

"'Yes, we have a policy at Pizza Hut not to allow people in wheelchairs inside. In fact you should park your wheelchair outside and walk in if you want service."

Click the video for Astro AWANI's phone interview with Anthony:

PIZZA HUT manager treated me like a dog. Told me to leave my wheelchair outside and walk in if I wanted service.
— Anthony Thanasayan (@wheelchairant) October 29, 2013

PIZZA HUT: In my 53 years of being disabled, no one - except Pizza Hut - has ever denied me of service because of my wheelchair.
— Anthony Thanasayan (@wheelchairant) October 29, 2013

Anthony shared his experience on social media and was overwhelmed by the response.

"I'm so shocked by the number of people who sent me their support. It's so encouraging. When I was reading it, I was already in tears. I'm very happy to know there are Malaysians here who cannot tolerate this kind of thing," he added.

@wheelchairant i thought that was shameful for a well established restaurant for treating disabled ppl badly.
— Auni (@_bellalot) October 29, 2013

@wheelchairant this is a discrimination towards the disabled.
— Hidayah (@DeeDods) October 29, 2013

@wheelchairant Walk? Didn't know pizza hut performs miracles!
— himawari (@drsunflower) October 29, 2013

@wheelchairant boikot PH MidValley plis @pizzahutmsia ,u should fired la ur un-respectful mnager,bring ur cmpany name to 'x brprikmanusian'!
—  Nasrul Nizam  (@Nasrulz92) October 29, 2013

Meanwhile, in a statement, Pizza Hut Malaysia clarified that they did not have a policy which discriminated its customers with special needs.

It said, its staff had offered to seat Anthony in an area where it was more comfortable and convenient for him. This, it said, was by no means an intended act of discrimination by Pizza Hut staff and to deny its customers their request in seating positions.

“The management is very much concerned about the incident that happened yesterday (Monday) at Pizza Hut Mid Valley. Our immediate action during the incident was to extend an apology and provide an explanation on the situation through our Restaurant Manager to Mr Anthony Thanasayan.

“We have moved to investigate this matter and we will be meeting Mr Anthony at his earliest convenience to resolve the miscommunication that occurred," said Pizza Hut Malaysia senior general manager Low Kang Moon.