The presenter of the BFM business radio station’s satire on Kelantan’s hudud implementation will be probed for allegedly insulting religion.

Inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar said BFM presenter Aisyah Tajudin is to be probed under Section 298 of the Penal Code.

        

He was speaking at a police event at Dataran Putrajaya at the administrative capital this morning.

"I think no less than five police reports have been lodged by those who are not satisfied (with the video).

"I will also discuss with Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to take firmer action against those who deliberately play up sensitive issues, especially BFM," he said.

Section 298 of the Penal Code states the offence of "uttering words, etc, with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person".

"Whoever, with deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of any person, utters any word or makes any sound in the hearing of that person, or makes any gesture in the sight of that person, or places any object in the sight of that person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine or with both," reads the section.

The IGP tweeted yesterday that the police will probe Aisyah as well as those who have threatened her with violence over the satire published on BFM’s website.

He repeated today that those making threats against Aisyah will also be investigated, but did not elaborate further.

Meanwhile Communications and Multimedia Deputy Minister Jailani Johari yesterday said his ministry would leave it to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the police to probe the matter.

“We do not want personal views that might confuse the people,” said Jailani according to Bernama .

On Friday Aisyah received threats of rape and death on the social media after the video on the business station's website went viral on the Internet.

BFM has since withdrawn the clip, explaining it was not intended to insult hudud but only to raise legitimate questions about its implementation.

The station also clarified Aisyah’s role was merely as the presenter of the script written for her.

Police starts 1MDB investigation

Meanwhile on an unrelated matter, Khalid revealed that the special task force, comprising members of police force, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Attorney-General's Chambers, has begun probing the controversial 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

This comes after Khalid clarified earlier that the police would take action only if the National Audit Department (NAD) finds foul play in the 1MDB case, failing which no investigation would be conducted.

"Although I said we will take action after the NAD's report comes out, but since we have received reports, the special task force think we need to start whatever investigation that is necessary.

"We will start investigation while waiting for NAD's report," he said.

Nevertheless, Khalid declined to reveal the progress of the investigation.

"But what I want to stress is, the investigation has started.

"As I mentioned earlier, the investigation is being conducted under section 409 and 420 of the Penal Code," he added.

Section 409 of the Penal Code refers to "criminal breach of trust by a public servant or agent", while Section 420 is on "cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property".

The police chief revealed earlier that Prime Minister Najib Razak will be one of the targets of the investigation.

Najib finally instructed NAD to probe 1MDB after Sarawak Report revealed there was alleged foul play in a joint venture between the company with PetroSaudi International (PSI).

The whistleblower website produced email correspondence and documents that it claims proves this, and demonstrates the involvement of businessman Jho Low.