Suspension of Stoned & Co. Co-Founder Following Road Rage Incident

On January 12, 2023, Malaysian streetwear brand Stoned & Co. announced the suspension of its co-founder and managing director, Tan Jia Hui, due to his involvement in a road rage incident that occurred on December 27, 2022, in Subang Jaya, Malaysia. The incident gained notoriety after a video surfaced on social media, showing Tan behaving aggressively after being honked at while obstructing traffic in front of the brand's outlet. The footage captured him chasing another vehicle in his Ferrari, ultimately stopping in the middle of the road and confronting the driver.

The Straits Times

In light of the incident, Stoned & Co. issued a statement emphasizing that Tan's conduct did not align with the company's values, culture, or professional standards. The brand's management convened an emergency meeting and decided to suspend Tan from all duties pending an internal investigation. The company expressed that individuals in leadership positions must be accountable for their actions, stating, "the behavior shown in the video does not align with the values, corporate culture, or professional standards our brand upholds."

The Straits Times

Stoned & Co. expressed deep concern regarding the incident, apologizing for the distress it caused. The company reiterated its commitment to community, respect, and accountability, and pledged to cooperate fully with any relevant authorities during the investigation. They urged the public to allow space for the investigation to proceed fairly.

Tan Jia Hui also addressed the incident on his Instagram account, describing it as a "moment of poor judgement." He expressed regret for his actions and attempted to reach out to the other driver to apologize and offer to cover any damages. He clarified that the video was not intended as a publicity stunt for the brand.

The Straits Times

While the company has taken steps to address the incident, there may be public criticism regarding the adequacy of the suspension and the internal investigation process. Some observers may question whether the actions taken are sufficient to uphold the company's stated values of accountability and respect.

The internal investigation into Tan's conduct is ongoing, and Stoned & Co. has committed to maintaining transparency throughout the process. The outcome of this investigation may influence the company's policies regarding leadership accountability and public conduct.

• “the behavior shown in the video does not align with the values, corporate culture, or professional standards our brand upholds as a company.” — Stoned & Co. Management

• “it was purely a moment of poor judgement on my part,” — Tan Jia Hui

The Straits Times

• “I appreciate the reminder to always act with patience and respect, and I apologise once again to the people I have hurt or offended from my actions,” — Tan Jia Hui

The Straits Times