Harith's show cancelled due to threats against family, ex-wife says

Summary

• Comedian Harith Iskander’s ex-wife, Dr Jezamine Lim, says the former’s show at the Petronas Philharmonic Hall was cancelled after death threats were issued against the family.

• Lim also confirms that police reports have been lodged on the matter.

• She criticises those who issued threats against her children, calling it an unjustifiable act.

Comedian Harith Iskander’s show at the Petronas Philharmonic Hall today was cancelled after his family received death threats, said his ex-wife Dr Jezamine Lim.

“This past week, I received a death threat directed at me, but what cut deeper and shook me to my core was a vile threat of abuse against our children.

“Due to these threats and the relentless online attacks from certain individuals, both DFP (Petronas Philharmonic Hall) and our family agreed that, in the interest of safety and security, it was best not to proceed with the show as planned,” she said on Instagram today.

Yesterday, the Petronas Philharmonic Hall announced the cancellation of Harith’s show.

The veteran comedian courted controversy after he joked about “ham sap kopi”, saying it was jeopardising his faith as the name included the word “ham”.

On Jan 18, he posted a photo of the coffee shop menu item with the caption, “I’m so confused. My iman tergugat (faith is compromised).

“This kopi will lead me down the wrong path in so many ways.

“Not just tempting me to become ham sap but also confusing me with the word ‘ham’ in it. Ni untuk minum atau makan (is this to drink or eat)?

“I must make a police report because I am so weak I have lost all ability to use logic. Who else is confused?” he posted.

The menu item is understood to refer to salted coffee but the word “ham sap” also colloquially refers to a pervert.

The police have initiated an investigation into Harith’s remarks and the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) will also be summoning him soon.

Why target my kids?

On that note, Lim described the threats levelled against her family as despicable, cowardly, and inhumane, adding police reports have been lodged on it.

“It saddens me to see people so consumed by hate that they dedicate hours upon hours to trolling, spreading anger, and writing paragraphs of abusive comments online - are you driven by religion?

“I was taught Allah asked Muslims to be kind to all people, regardless of their actions or status. Kindness is a virtue that reflects Allah’s own merciful and compassionate nature,” she noted.

Lim added that she was disheartened by how mindless mob mentality can drive people to such extremes.

While everyone has the right to disagree over something, Lim said issuing threats against a person’s family and his children is unjustifiable.

“Yes, you have every right to disagree with or be offended by someone’s words - emotions are natural - but to sink so low as to send threats to a person’s family? To target children?

“How do you justify that? Is this truly what you believe protects your religion or your beliefs?” she asked.

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