PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A lingerie chain has come under fire for posting a seemingly racist job advertisement on its storefront at a Kuala Lumpur mall.

The advert - with the words "Vacancy. Sales Assistant (Fair). Female only" - drew the ire of many people, after a picture of it was circulated on social media platforms on Monday.

"Just say you don't want to hire Indians," said netizen Nalina Nair in a post on Facebook.

"We live in 21st century Malaysia, more than half a century after independence, but race and skin colour is somehow still a requirement to get a job?"

The lingerie outlet, however, claims that there has been a huge misunderstanding.

"I meant fair, as in working at the promotion area. Anybody can apply for the position," the hiring manager told The Star Online when contacted.

"I am so sorry for the misunderstanding. We are taking down the post and doing a new one," he said.

The outlet also clarified their job advertisement on their Facebook page.

"Fair here means 'event, temporary booth, promotion fair' we are hiring sales assistant to run promotion for fair," said the comment.

"Please do not misunderstand. We are hiring and welcome all races of people come to work."