KEPONG MP Lim Lip Eng has demanded Deputy Federal Territories Minister Jalaluddin Alias explain the motive behind his decision that Crackhouse Comedy Club owner Rizal Van Geyzel be banned for life from registering a business licence in Kuala Lumpur.

Lim said Jalaluddin’s statement was contrary to a “credible source” informing him that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had only intended to bar Rizal for 12 months.

The lawmaker said Jalaludin has no power to ban Rizal in such a way, so is therefore obliged to publicly state specific provisions of the law under which he is acting.

Lim added that entertainment licences are granted to companies, not individuals.

“While I don’t approve of actions or statements aimed at insulting any religion or race, I also disapprove of any bans by the authorities that defy rules and regulations.

“Kuala Lumpur is a metropolitan city governed by rules and regulations, in particular those imposed by DBKL,” the MP added.

Lim said some people might scoff at the drabness of his inquiry, but “beware: silence on the deputy minister’s behalf could only be interpreted as an admission to the carelessness with which he dealt with the matter”.

Jalaluddin’s announcement on Wednesday that DBKL had also decided to revoke the comedy club’s licence effective July 30 prompted furious reactions from club’s owners.

Rizal and co-owner Shankar R. Santhiram sent a letter of demand mayor Mahadi Che Ngah, seeking clarification on Jalaluddin’s statements.

The club came under the spotlight over a performance that allegedly insulted Islam, in which a woman removed her baju kurung and hijab to reveal a mini-skirt and spaghetti strap top.

During investigations, authorities combed through old video clips of Rizal’s performances, which led to his arrest on July 14.

He was charged with misuse of a telecommunication device under section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Meanwhile, Rizal said he received a death threat over the incident. – August 20, 2022.