MCMC to refer to Jakim on controversial Raya video

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will refer to the Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) before deciding on the action to be taken over a video on the Hari Raya celebration said to have insulted Islam.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek said Jakim’s views and advice were needed to decide whether the video had really defiled the sanctity of Islam.

“If Jakim finds that the video has provoked Islamic sensitivities, then the MCMC will decide that the case be referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers,” he said after witnessing the signing of a cooperation agreement between TM Net Sdn Bhd and Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad in Kuala Lumpur today.

Also present was MCMC chairmperson Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi.

Yesterday, police detained Maznah Mohd Yusof, 38, also known as Chetz, after she was alleged to have uploaded a video to YouTube showing a person celebrating Hari Raya with three dogs, and the case is being investigated under Section 298A of the Penal Code.

The video recording which runs for one minute and 44 seconds shows the  individual walking with three dogs near a mosque with the ‘takbir raya’ playing in the background.

It also shows the individual, in a black top, washing her dogs’ paws, which mimicked the ablution performed by Muslims before prayers, and feeding her dogs Raya cookies.

The video also carries the Hari Raya greetings, ‘Raikanlah Aidilfitri bersama-sama, tanpa mengira spesis, warna, asal usul.’ (Celebrate Aidilfitri together, regardless of species, colour, origin), with the three dogs in the picture.

Maznah is now being remanded for two days until tomorrow at the Segamat district police headquarters, Johor after her statement was recorded by Bukit Aman police yesterday.

Ahmad Shabery said the MCMC had also recorded a statement from Maznah and that the investigation was still on to know the real intention of the individual who made the video recording.

“We have received different views on this case, so it has to be investigated to find out the motive of the individual involved.”

On the cooperation agreement, two Astro Sports channels - Astro SuperSport HD and Astro SuperSport 2 HD - would be broadcast through TM’s Internet Protocol Television service, HyppTV, from today.

Astro and TM (Telekom Malaysia) also agreed to continue cooperating for the NJOI television channel and selected radio channel broadcasts through HyppTV.

The agreement was signed by TM group chief executive officer Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa and Astro chief executive officer Rohana Rozhan.

- Bernama