'Ham' sandwich: MCMC slaps Harith, netizen with RM10k fine

Summary

• MCMC fines comedian Harith Iskander and Facebook user Cecelia Yap RM10,000 each over their comments on the ‘ham’ sandwich issue.

• MCMC also requests Meta to close their Facebook accounts, which is still being considered by Meta.

• Harith had joked about ‘ham sap kopi’ affecting his faith, while Yap posted an offensive comment under his post.

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The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has slapped comedian Harith Iskander and a Facebook user with a RM10,000 fine each over their comments about the “ham” sandwich issue which erupted in January.

In addition, MCMC said an application has been made to close their Facebook accounts.

“Meta is assessing the application,” MCMC said in a statement today, referring to Facebook’s parent company.

Enforcement action was taken against Harith (above) and Cecelia Yap under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (abuse of network facilities), based on provisions in force prior to the amendments to the law last month, MCMC said.

The commission had received authorisation from the Attorney-General’s Chambers to proceed with the compound against the duo, who were accused of posting offensive comments involving Islam on Jan 18.

The “ham” sandwich controversy emerged on Jan 10 following the discovery of sandwiches labelled “ham and cheese sandwich” with the halal logo at a KK Mart outlet.

It later emerged that the sandwiches were made with chicken slices, not pork, and the supplier was charged for allegedly misusing the halal logo.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | Are ham and cheese sandwiches halal?

‘Ham sap kopi’ joke

In commenting on the polemics surrounding the issue, Harith had joked about “ham sap kopi” - a type of salted coffee whose name is also a play on a colloquial term for “pervert” - and how it could “threaten” his faith.

“I’m so confused. My iman tergugat (my faith is compromised).

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

“Not just tempting me to become hamsap 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 polis report because I am so weak I have lost all ability to use logic. Who else is confused? ? #confused,” he posted on Facebook.

Yap was accused of leaving an offensive comment under this post, for which she later apologised.

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