Port Augusta Council candidate Sunny Singh says he has forgiven truck driver Grant Moroney, who posted a Facebook video of himself racially abusing the Indian immigrant.
The video, which went viral last week, appeared to show Mr Moroney in a truck directing racial slurs at a poster made from Mr Singh's election placards. A truck could also be seen running over the cut-out.
Mr Singh, 32, who immigrated to Australia more than 10 years ago, said he received a phone call apology from Mr Moroney in the days after the video went viral.
"I received a call from him. He said he did not mean to hurt anyone and it was a joke that went viral. I told him it was not a small thing and he had hurt the sentiments of the whole community," Mr Singh said, adding that he had nothing personal against Mr Moroney.
Mr Singh said he received a text message apology too, which read: "I didn't want to hurt anyone, I understand I have upset your family, can you apologise to your wife and kids for me?'"
Source: Facebook
Mr Moroney recorded himself saying, “I’d like you to meet Sundrop Zahid Khawaja, please try to make him feel welcome. He hasn’t been in the country long. He don’t say much, I don’t think he can say a word of English.”
“Don’t you spill your f****** tandoori curry all over my seat cover,” he could be heard shouting in the video, adding, “I don't know how the f*** they did it in Delhi, but this is Australia. We eat steak, we drink beer and we f****** follow the rules when you work for me.”
South Australia Police have confirmed that Mr Singh had not proceeded with criminal charges.
"We can confirm that the victim has chosen not to proceed. The investigation into traffic offences is ongoing, and we hope to have any update in coming days," police said in a statement sent to SBS Hindi.
Mr Singh said it was not difficult to forgive Mr Moroney.
Sunny Singh Source: Facebook
"My values and my religion teaches me to forgive. We could stretch the battle, but it would not have helped anyone," he said.
Mr Moroney's trucking contract with the company Mogas Fuel was suspended after the incident.
Mr Singh said he asked Mr Moroney if he could help him get his job back.
"It is all good between us now," Mr Singh said.
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