PETALING JAYA: Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has called on the police to provide an update on their investigations into comedian Harith Iskander and social media user Cecilia Yap over their alleged remarks about Islam.
Stating his support for firm action against the three Era FM radio hosts who had apparently mocked the Thaipusam kavadi ritual in a video, Akmal said that laws should be applied fairly to all.
“I also want to ask the authorities: if these three DJs have been investigated and punished by their employer, what is the status of the cases involving Yap and Harith, who allegedly mocked Prophet Muhammad and Islam?” he said in a Facebook post.
“Laws should apply to everyone equally, not selectively based on the influence of certain individuals.”
Harith had posted on Facebook that his faith was shaken after seeing a menu advertising “Ham Sap Coffee” because it contained the word “ham”.
Yap, in response to his post, allegedly made comments regarded as insulting to Islam and Prophet Muhammad.
Akmal said no one should be exempt from accountability for making insensitive remarks, regardless of religion, race, or nationality.
“The public should not accept the norm of ‘act first, apologise later, and move on’,” he added.
The Era FM radio hosts courted a backlash after the video in which they had mimicked the kavadi ritual, a sacred Hindu act of devotion to Lord Muruga performed during Thaipusam.
The clip included footage of the hosts chanting the phrase “Vel Vel” while laughing.
The three DJs – Nabil Ahmad, Azad Jasmin, and Radin Amir Effendi Ahmad Aruani – later issued a public apology and acknowledged the insensitivity of their actions.
They were suspended by Astro Audio alongside two other staff members. The company said its CEO and senior management had met with Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission officials over the matter.
The DJs are also being investigated by Bukit Aman under Section 298 of the Penal Code, which relates to deliberately wounding the religious feelings of others, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which covers offensive communications.
