'Insulting Islam': Woman, boyfriend to be charged over stand-up comedy
A woman who performed a stand-up comedy routine and her boyfriend are set to be charged in court over her open-mic act at a comedy club in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), which allegedly insulted Islam.
In a press statement today, the police secretariat notified that she would be charged under Section 298A of the Penal Code, while the man would be charged under Section 233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998...
A woman who performed a stand-up comedy routine and her boyfriend are set to be charged in court over her open-mic act at a comedy club in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), which allegedly insulted Islam.
In a press statement today, the police secretariat notified that she would be charged under Section 298A of the Penal Code, while the man would be charged under Section 233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998.
Section 298A deals with the offence of causing disharmony, disunity, enmity, hatred or ill-will.
Section 233 deals with the offence of improper use of network facilities to transmit an obscene communication.
Two days ago, the police detained the woman and were granted a court order to remand her for investigation until July 12.
Her boyfriend was picked up a day later (July 11) and will be remanded until tomorrow.
However, the statement did not state when specifically the duo would be hauled to court.
The police said that they received the directive to charge them after submitting the investigation papers to the Attorney-General's Chambers today.
The woman’s remand has also been extended until tomorrow, the authorities added.
Under the normal legal practice, a suspect would be charged in court at the end of their remand period.
Due to the nature of the offences and the alleged location where the incident purportedly took place, the duo are likely to be brought before the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court tomorrow.
In a follow-up statement later this afternoon, the police announced that the couple would be charged tomorrow.
Viral video
Previously, a video of a woman who took off her headscarf and baju kurung on stage at the Crackhouse Comedy Club in TTDI had gone viral on social media.
Crackhouse Comedy Club said it banned the woman and her partner from the venue immediately after her stand-up performance and proceeded to lodge a police report.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has since suspended the club’s licence.
The suspension, however, received criticisms from comedians and netizens who believed the club should not be punished for the woman's action during an open-mic event on the premises.
Report this comment
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.