Cancellation of Stand-up Comedy Show Due to Threats

Former wife of Malay actor-comedian Harith Iskander, has revealed that a man believed to have threatened them has been arrested. The national police chief Razarudin Husain disclosed that the suspect, a 31-year-old man, had been taken into custody after receiving a report by Harith’s manager, Jezamine Lim, on Wednesday night.

Razarudin stated that the suspect will be remanded in custody until January 28 as part of a probe under the Penal Code (Act 593) for making criminal intimidation statements and insulting someone’s modesty. The officer also mentioned that the suspect’s phone was confiscated during the police investigation.

Background of the Allegations

The reported threats came at a time when Harith had been under the spotlight for sparking controversy over an online post referencing the word ‘ham’ when discussing the certification of sandwiches offered at a cafe in Universiti Malaya, a public tertiary institution. Despite his intention as a satirist, people misinterpreted it, leading the authorities to have him investigated on the grounds that his words supposedly undermined the belief of others with regards to eating halal certified food.

Pursuing Clarification

In recent days, online discussions have evolved, with debate on the permissibility to consume ham sap coffee, whether it is part of the rules of Islam’s dietary laws given the presence of ham in ‘ham sap,’ which is then used in drinks. Harith’s Facebook statements on the matters have been attracting a lot more attention, raising questions about Halal certification norms and the degree of tolerance from the Muslim people.

Conclusion:

The report of the Malaysian police chief sheds light on events surrounding the cancellations of upcoming performances by Comedian Harith Iskander. The legal actions taken emphasize the gravity the authorities attach to threats and statements that may impact the well-being of individuals including their families as well as affect the social situation.

FAQ

Who is Harith Iskander?
Harith is a well-established comedian and Malaysian actor.

What was he investigated for?
Police investigated Harith for a satire post on an online platform using the word ‘ham’ pertaining to the sales of sandwiches of a convenience shop at Universiti Malaya as well as threats received by he and his manager.

For what reason have his shows canceled?
The comedian opted to cancel scheduled performances at various venues, partly due to serious threats and bad messages sent both to him, his manager as well as young children. His manager, on the other end, lodged official complaints with Malaysia’s law and order authorities amid the ongoing uproar.

What could be the effect of this legal action?
At the moment the outcome of proceedings against the named suspect is open, but steps taken by investigators to seize physical evidence and monitor the suspect till January 28 will likely offer more insight over the coming hours.