THE Crackhouse Comedy Club must not be penalised in the course of the authorities’ investigation into a woman who allegedly insulted Islam while giving an open mic performance at the venue, the establishment’s co-founders and a group of Malaysian comedians said.

They called for suspension of the comedy club’s operating licence to be lifted, and the premises in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, to be unsealed, stressing that the venue’s operators are at all times ready to cooperate with the police.

“While we understand that some action needs to be taken, the act of sealing the Crackhouse Comedy Club and suspending its operating licence, without prior written notice, is highly prejudicial and unfair, given that the management of the Crackhouse Comedy Club is willing, and ready to give its full cooperation to the authorities in respect of the unacceptable act by the said individual. 

“We strongly urge the authorities to revoke the suspension of the Crackhouse Comedy Club’s licence as this action is heavy-handed and without due process,” co-founders Rizal Van Geyzel and Shankar R. Santhiram said in a statement.

The statement was also signed, as an act of solidarity, by 15 other local comedians, who included Harith Iskander, Douglas Lim, Joanne Kam and Dr Jason Leong.

Crackhouse said it is standard operating procedure in all comedy venues to inform performers that they are not to touch on royalty and the royal institutions in Malaysia, and also on any religion. This rule also applies to performances at open-mic nights.

“The individual in this case disregarded these two rules despite being informed of the regulations. 

“The Crackhouse Comedy Club took firm action by informing her she had violated the rules and regulations of the club, and immediately banned her outright from the premises,” Crackhouse said.

Crackhouse’s operating license was suspended on July 10 without prior notice and the premises sealed the next day following its lodging of a police report against the woman who has since been arrested and is under remand.

It lodged the report after a video clip of the woman’s open mic performance went viral on social media. In her performance, the woman says she is Muslim, claims she has memorised most parts of the Quran and then proceeds to take off her clothes. 

Crackhouse said the woman had committed an “act of sabotage” against the comedy club and damaged its reputation.

“(She) appears to have her own agenda. The club was neither party to this nor did the management condone it.” 

It has emerged that the woman’s performance was given some weeks ago, and the offending video only posted online recently.

It has also been revealed by another establishment in the F&B and live performance business, Merdekarya, that the woman and her partner have a record of being troublemakers.

Crackhouse said it is a reputable comedy club that has hosted performances for Malaysia’s best comedians as well as international ones.

“Now, whilst this individual is being investigated by the authorities, the club and the entire Malaysian stand-up comedy scene has been unduly dragged down the gutter by this person. 

“We herewith urge the authorities to take stern action against the individual for any breach of the law, without penalising Crackhouse Comedy Club who had no part to play in this individual’s actions, and was caught by surprise by the said action.” – July 12, 2022.