KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) questioned today BFM journalist Aisyah Tajuddin and two other staff from the radio station over its controversial video on hudud after the police recorded their statements.
Aisyah’s lawyer, New Sin Yew, said the three were investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 that prohibits an “improper use of network facilities or network service”, an offence defined as making “obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive” comments.
“Suffice to say statement taking by the police is done, now MCMC’s turn,” New told Malay Mail Online.
English language daily New Straits Times yesterday reported Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar as saying the police will investigate the producers and presenter of BFM show Kupas, following a public uproar over a recent video clip questioning the implementation of hudud in Kelantan.
He said the video’s creators as well as its presenter, Aisyah, will be called up for questioning under Section 298 of the Penal Code that prohibits causing disharmony or ill-will on the grounds of religion.
Aisyah received numerous death and rape threats on various online platforms, following outrage over a video titled “Hudud Isi Periuk Nasi? (Kupas)” (Does hudud fill our rice bowls?) that was posted on BFM’s website and YouTube channel on Thursday.
Khalid had said the police will also investigate those who have made the threats as well.
In the video, Aisyah points out that even as Kelantan is attempting to implement hudud, the east coast state is facing other problems like its homeless flood victims, as well as increasing drug and divorce cases.
BFM later removed the clip and apologised for any offence caused, saying that it was not meant to question the “desirability” of the Islamic penal code, but that it was a satirical commentary on whether hudud’s implementation should be Kelantan’s top priority in light of economic issues and problems faced by flood victims.
