A WOMAN who removed her hijab and baju kurung during an open mic session in the Carckhouse Comedy Club is set to be charged with insulting Islam, said a Bukit Aman representative.

In a statement, Secretary of the Royal Malaysian Police Noorsiah Mohd Saaduddin said the police were instructed by the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) to charge Siti Nuramira Abdullah under section 298A of the penal code for causing disharmony, disunity or enmity, hatred or ill will on the grounds of religion.

“The remand order for Siti Nuramira, which ends today, is extended for another day,” Noorsiah added.

She also confirmed that Alexander Navin Vijayachandran, who is said to be Siti Nuramira’s boyfriend and detained yesterday, will be charged under section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network services.

In a 54s video uploaded to social media, the woman claimed she had memorised most parts of the Quran, before removing her attire to reveal a blouse and mini skirt.

She was then detained by the police in Taman Jaya, Petaling Jaya, at 10pm on Friday.

The police also confirmed that they had arrested her boyfriend over the weekend.

Shortly after the video was uploaded, the club, situated in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, was ordered to close temporarily by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

Deputy Federal Territories Minister Jalaluddin Alias said the decision to close the club was to send a message that the ministry and City Hall would not tolerate disrespecting the sensitivities of religion, race or sovereignty.

Today, Jalaluddin said that the comedy club had been operating without an entertainment licence.

He said DBKL will issue a show cause letter to the club which, according to DBKL, only had a restaurant licence, not an entertainment licence.

Today, the comedy club’s Co-founders and fellow Malaysian comedians said the establishment must not be penalised in the course of the authorities’ investigation.

They called for suspension of the comedy club’s operating licence to be lifted, and the premises to reopen, adding that the owners were ready to co-operate with the police at all times. – July 12, 2022.