KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 — The Sessions Court here was today told that a picture and caption posted by a couple in their Facebook page could potentially lead to controversy among the communities in the country.

Malaysian Islamic Religious Development Department principal assistant director Dr Lokman Ab Rahman who was testifying in the trial of Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee, said their action was “dangerous and might mislead Muslims”.

He said the picture and caption posted during Ramadan was offensive to Muslims who regarded the fasting month as holy.

Tan and Lee are accused of committing sedition by uploading a picture with a caption, “Selamat Berbuka Puasa (with Bak Kut Teh...fragrant, delicious and appetising)’ in their Facebook at 9 am on July 12, 2013.

Lokman replied when asked by deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Nur Faida Mohd Rasidee on what he understood about ‘Bak Kut Teh’, that the term originated from the Tibetan and Hokkien communities.

“Based on my understanding and my study, and a study done on the Chinese community, the term means pork, bone and tea,” said the witness.

Lokman dismissed the suggestion that Jakim was prejudiced against the Chinese community about ‘Bak Kut Teh’ and asserted, “though only a term, it is still categorised as non-halal”.

He told the court that Jakim had in accordance with Islamic law and jurisprudence, rejected many applications to use the ‘halal’ certificate and logo for ‘Bak Kut Teh’.

On the issue of prejudice, he said it did not arise – “70 per cent of applications from the Chinese community for ‘halal’ certificate and logo at their business premises were approved by Jakim”.

Responding to the DPP’s question on the ‘halal’ logo that accompanied the allegedly seditious picture posted by the couple, he said Jakim was no longer using the design.

“The logo in that picture is not legal and misleading to the public,” he said.

Meanwhile, Star Online editor Philip Golingai testified that pork is an ingredient in Bak Kut Teh.

“Bak Kut Teh is never ‘halal’, unless you are talking about ‘chick Kut Teh’ or ‘duck Kut Teh’, he said, adding that the Facebook posting was like an invitation to Muslims to eat Bak Kut Teh.

Philip said he called Tan to ask why he had posted the picture and caption.

“Tan said it was for no other reason except as a joke.” Alvin or Tan Jye Yee and Vivian or Lee May Ling are also facing a charge under sub-section 5(1) of the Film Censorship Act 2002 for allegedly posting an obscene photograph between 9 pm on July 6, 2013 and 2 am on July 7, 2013.

The trial before Judge Abdul Rashid Daud continues tomorrow. — Bernama