FB user apologises over 'insensitive' ham comment, vows cooperation in probe

Summary

• Facebook user Cecelia Yap Song apologises over an “insensitive” comment she made on comedian Harith Iskander's posting related to “ham sap kopi”.

• She vows to cooperate with police investigation over an alleged insult to Prophet Muhammad.

• Her counsel M Visvanathan confirms that she has just given her statement to investigators at Bukit Aman.

A Facebook user has apologised over an “insensitive” comment left under comedian Harith Iskander's posting linked to the “ham” sandwich controversy.

Cecelia Yap Song also vowed to give her full cooperation to the police investigation into the alleged insult to Prophet Muhammad.

She conveyed this in a media statement issued through her counsel M Visvanathan today.

"I, Cecelia Yap Song KL, hereby apologise to all who were hurt by my comment on Harith Iskander's Facebook page, especially to my very respected Muslim friends.

"I am very regretful over my insensitive comment that hurt everyone's feelings. I promise not to repeat my action in future.

"I will give full cooperation to the police investigating this case. Again I humbly wish to apologise to all Malaysians over this incident," she said.

The police are investigating her as well as Harith's recent posting joking about “ham sap kopi” - a type of coffee offered at a restaurant - jeopardising his faith as the name included the word “ham”.

Police statement recorded

When contacted, Visvanathan confirmed that Yap had given her statement to the police at Bukit Aman police headquarters earlier.

In a press statement later, Visvanathan confirmed his client fully cooperated with the police investigation.

"We urge all quarters to give cooperation to ensure the police investigation can be carried out properly in accordance with the law,” he said.

Last Friday, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said the police were tracking down the Facebook user to assist in the investigation and that they had also recorded a statement from Harith.

This came after Kluang Umno member Shahrol Azizie Azmi lodged a police report over the matter.

Shahrol, who is also a former radio announcer and member of comedy duet Shiro, had called out Harith over his post that allegedly provided fodder for the public to insult and ridicule Islam.

The investigation is being carried out under Section 298 and Section 505(c) of the Penal Code, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

Section 298 of the Penal Code criminalises the act of intentionally insulting a religion, while Section 505(c) relates to statements conducing to public mischief with intent to incite or which is likely to incite any class or community of persons to commit any offence against any other class or community of persons.

The “ham” issue was sparked by the discovery of ham and cheese sandwiches - which had the halal label - sold at KK Mart outlets at Universiti Malaya which led to an uproar.

The sandwiches were produced by Shake and Bake Cafe Sdn Bhd, which used halal-certified chicken ham to make the sandwiches.

However, the company did not have the certification to put the halal logo on the sandwich packaging.

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

PAS Youth, Jakim want to meet Harith over 'ham sap' comment

Police investigating Harith over 'ham sap' FB post

Cops record comedian's statement over 'ham' posting