Crackhouse Comedy Club co-founder Rizal Van Geyzel has been detained at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters for questioning, according to reports from The Vibes and Free Malaysia Today.
It is believed that he is being investigated over three viral videos that allegedly touch on racial and religious matters.
A police spokesperson confirmed with Malaysiakini that an arrest was made today and that Bukit Aman is investigating the comedian.
Rizal’s lawyer Ramkarpal Singh told Malaysiakini that the comedian presented himself at Dang Wangi police station around 12.30pm today to give his statement.
He said the police took his statement for about two to three hours before making the arrest.
Rizal will be presented for a remand order at 10am tomorrow at the Dang Wangi lock-up.
Various media reports claimed the comedian is being investigated under several laws, including Section 298A of the Penal Code for insulting religion and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 for improper use of communications networks.
The investigation is being conducted by Bukit Aman’s D5 classified criminal investigation unit.
It was reported yesterday that the Federal Territories Ministry received reports about an individual, believed to be Rizal, who allegedly mocked and insulted the Malay race during a performance at a comedy club.
Deputy Federal Territories Minister Jalaluddin Alias had said a detailed investigation would be conducted into the matter.
If found to be violating the comedy club’s license, he said it would not be impossible for Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to take stricter action that could lead to the club’s closure.
Club’s suspension received brickbats
The comedy club situated in Taman Tun Dr Ismail was recently suspended by DBKL after a woman allegedly insulted Islam during an open-mic stand-up performance at the premises.
Siti Nuramira Abdullah, 26, claimed trial at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court yesterday for a charge of causing enmity and ill-will over her controversial stand-up routine.
Her boyfriend, Alexander Navin Vijayachandran, 38, also pleaded not guilty at the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court to two charges of creating ill-will through the controversial videos.
The club’s suspension received brickbats from other comedians and the comedy club operator, who said Crackhouse was the one who lodged a police report against the woman’s performance, and it has been cooperating with the authorities throughout the investigation.
Jalaluddin later said Crackhouse had been operating under a restaurant and liquor licence without the required entertainment licence, and DBKL would issue a show-cause letter to the club.
He added that the owners of the comedy club had been given 14 days to submit an appeal to the DBKL licensing committee.- Mkini
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