Maznah could face up to five years jail if found guilty

PETALING JAYA: Dog trainer Maznah Mohd Yusuf, also known as Chetz, was today remanded for two days at the Segamat district police headquarters in Johor over a Youtube video of her and her dogs celebrating Aidilfitri.

PKR Legal and Human Rights Bureau head, Latheefa Koya yesterday said that according to Maznah's lawyer in Segamat, G Visha Nair, the police were granted two days instead of the four requested for the remand order.

Besides questioning the need for remand, Latheefa also asked why Maznah had to be taken to Segamat when the video was uploaded in Selangor.

"Maznah fully cooperated with the police and was the first person who lodged a police report when she saw her three-year-old video labeled as 'insulting Islam'," she said, adding that Maznah has not been charged and has been denied access to a lawyer during questioning at Bukit Aman.

However, Bernama reported Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Mohmad Salleh as saying that the transfer to Segamat was because the first police report on the video was lodged there.

Maznah, 38, is being held for questioning after her statement was recorded by Bukit Aman police on Wednesday after reports surfaced of another video that allegedly insulted Islam, which even drew a response from Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin voicing disappointment over it.

In the 104-second video, Maznah was seen walking and bathing her three dogs, and sharing Raya cookies with them, with the "Takbir Raya" playing in the background. The video also had a Raya message: "Raikanlah Aidilfitri bersama-sama, tanpa mengira spesis, warna, asal usul (celebrate Aidilfitri together, regardless of species, colour, origin).

Her case is being investigated under Section 298A of the Penal Code, which touches on causing hatred on grounds of religion. If found guilty, she faces a penalty of at least two years and up to five years in jail.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will seek the views of the Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) in deciding whether to refer the case to the Attorney-General's Chambers.

"We have received different views on this case, so it has to be investigated to find out the motive of the individual involved," he said in the report, adding that the MCMC had also recorded a statement from Maznah.

In Penang, three police reports were lodged today at the Southern Seberang Perai District Police headquarters in Jawi over the video. The complainants, Wanita Umno Putri Gunung Division, Umno Youth Nibong Tebal division and Angkatan Pemuda Masjid Daerah SPS, claimed that it was rude and insensitive towards Muslims.

- thesundaily.my