The various controversies and arrests at a local comedy club have led Penang Mufti Datuk Seri Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor to call for guidelines to ensure comedy club owners and patrons do not cross moral and religious boundaries.
According to him, the Islamic religious authorities, such as the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM), should advise Muslims to preserve the purity of the religion and not make a joke out of it.
Speaking to BERNAMA, Wan Salim said, “As the religion of human nature, Islam does not prohibit entertainment including humour as long as it does not go overboard.”
“There are times where we need to be serious, and there are times where we need to relax.”
His comments came following the controversy at the Crackhouse Comedy Club in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), where a woman who claimed that she had memorised 15 verses of the Quran began to undress during an open mic session on stage in an alleged attempt to insult Islam.
She has since been charged with causing religious disharmony under Section 298A of the Penal Code at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, whilst her partner, who allegedly took the video, was charged under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Meanwhile, the co-founder of the comedy club has also been arrested for questioning over videos of his stand-up comedy routines at the club, which have gone viral.
The club has also been temporarily suspended from operating, despite criticisms from plenty of Malaysians for DBKL to remove the suspension as it is widely believed that the comedy club has done nothing wrong.
Do you think that a set of guidelines is necessary?
Also read: Co-Founder Of Crackhouse Comedy Club Detained At Dang Wangi Police District
