Investigations are ongoing against Harith Iskander over his recent Facebook post that touched on the controversial “ham” sandwich scandal.
The comedian had drawn criticism from netizens after he joked about “ham sap kopi” – a type of coffee offered at a restaurant – jeopardising his faith as the name included the word “ham”.
Kluang district police chief Bahrin Mohd Noh confirmed that Kluang Umno member Shahrol Azizie Azmi lodged a report last night against Harith, as well as another woman who commented on his original post.
“The report is being investigated under Section 298 and Section 505(c) of the Penal Code, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998,” Bahrin told Malaysiakini today.
Section 298 of the Penal Code criminalises the act of intentionally insulting a religion, while Section 505(c) relates to statements conducing to public mischief with intent to incite or which is likely to incite any class or community of persons to commit any offence against any other class or community of persons.
Yesterday, Shahrol, who is also known as a former radio announcer and member of the comedy duet Shiro, took to Facebook and called out Harith over his post that allegedly provided fodder for the public to insult and ridicule Islam.
“(At) 8.45pm, done with recording my statement at the Kluang police station, on the issue of Harith’s post.
“In the comment section, someone posted about our beloved Prophet Muhammad, the word ham was capitalised and made fun of,” he said.
“That is an insolent act and police should take stern action. Harith opened up the space for this issue to be ridiculed, and that is blatantly rude,” he stressed.
On Sunday, Harith posted a photo of a coffee shop menu item named “ham sap kopi” with the caption, “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.
The menu is understood to refer to salted coffee but the word “ham sap” is also colloquially used to refer to a pervert.
On Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Umno president and the Halal Industry Development Council chairperson, expressed hope that no one continues to make a big deal out of the “ham” sandwich scandal.
The issue was sparked by the discovery of ham and cheese sandwiches – which had the halal label – sold at KK Mart outlets at Universiti Malaya.
This led to an uproar – including from Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh – on how “ham”, which is typically made from pork, could be labelled as halal.
The sandwiches were produced by Shake and Bake Cafe Sdn Bhd, which used halal-certified chicken ham to make the sandwiches.
However, the company did not have the certification to put the halal logo on the sandwich packaging. – Malaysiakini