Era FM hosts apologise for insult to Hindus, Fahmi orders probe

Summary

• Era FM hosts apologise for "unintentionally" insulting Hindus over a video mocking the Thaipusam kavadi ritual.

• Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil orders MCMC to call up radio station's management for an explanation.

• Jelutong MP RSN Rayer says apology doesn’t negate need for police action over 3R.

Astro’s radio station Era FM hosts have apologised over a video mocking the Thaipusam kavadi ritual, while Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has ordered a probe into the incident.

In a video posted on social media, Nabil Ahmad, Azad Jasmin, and Radin Amir Affendy apologised for insulting Indians and admitted that they had made a mistake.

They vowed to do better and were open to criticism and feedback on how they could improve.

"Once again, we apologise for our unintentional mistake," Azad said.

In the controversial video, Azad was seen dancing to a "vel vel" chant by several other staff before he burst into laughter.

The chant "vel vel" invokes the Hindu deity Lord Muruga and is often chanted during Thaipusam when a person is taking the kavadi.

MCMC probe

The video triggered outrage among the Hindu community, with MIC deputy president M Saravanan calling the act "brainless".

In a separate statement, Fahmi said he had ordered the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to conduct a thorough probe, including calling Astro and Era FM's management for an explanation.

"This is to ensure action can be taken based on existing laws," he added.

Over in Parliament, Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, in a press conference, called for the police and the National Unity Ministry to take action.

"An apology is an apology, but it is still a 3R (race, religion, royalty) matter. So it is up to police to take further action," he said.

‘Unacceptable’

Responding to the clip, National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang said in a statement that the actions depicted in the video contradict the principles of the Rukun Negara.

He also called on MCMC to take the necessary action as afforded under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 on the improper use of network facilities.

Expressing similar sentiments, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo emphasised that any form of mockery or disrespect towards the kavadi ritual, or any religious practice, is unacceptable.

"Astro must conduct a thorough investigation into this matter and immediately take appropriate action against those responsible," he added in a statement.

Echoing Fahmi’s sentiments, his deputy Teo Nie Ching also called for action to be taken.

“We cannot accept any action that would hurt the feelings of another community.

“Mass media like radio stations must be more responsible when it comes to protecting national harmony and be careful when creating any forms of content,” she said on Facebook today.

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