Comedian arrested for 'sedition', to be remanded tomorrow
UPDATED 10.40PM | Added comments from Bukit Aman.
UPDATED 9.15PM | Added comments from the police, Rizal’s lawyer.
A comedian has been arrested in the Klang Valley today to facilitate investigations over two video clips allegedly filmed at a comedy club, said police secretary Noorsiah Mohd Saaduddin.
The Bukit Aman statement did not name the comedian concerned, but another police spokesperson confirmed to Malaysiakini earlier that Crackhouse Comedy Club co-founder Rizal Van Geyzel was arrested today for investigation by the federal police headquarters.
According to Noorsiah, the two offending clips have touched on...
UPDATED 10.45PM | Added comments from Bukit Aman.
UPDATED 9.15PM | Added comments from the police, Rizal’s lawyer.
A comedian has been arrested in the Klang Valley today to facilitate investigations over two video clips allegedly filmed at a comedy club, said police secretary Noorsiah Mohd Saaduddin.
The Bukit Aman statement did not name the comedian concerned, but another police spokesperson confirmed to Malaysiakini earlier that Crackhouse Comedy Club co-founder Rizal Van Geyzel was arrested today for investigation by the federal police headquarters.
According to Noorsiah, the two offending clips have touched on racial sensitivities, and the 39-year-old comedian is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 for issuing statements that have a seditious tendency.
He is also investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for allegedly abusing network facilities.
“A remand application against the suspect will be made on July 15 (Friday) to complete the process of investigation. The police’s investigation paper will be referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further instruction once the investigation from all angles has been completed.
“The investigation is still ongoing, and the police advise people not to make any statement or speculation that can interfere with investigations,” she said.
Earlier, 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.
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 Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) might take sterner 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.
