KUALA LUMPUR — Police are investigating the video clip by three staff of the Era FM radio channel which allegedly insulted the Hindu religion.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said investigation papers have been opened after six police reports were lodged over the matter.
“The video is felt to have touched on religious sensitivities and allegedly mocked Hinduism, as stated by one of the complainants,” Bernama reported Razarudin saying.
This complaint was by a 44-year-old engineer who came across the video on Facebook and stated in his police report that several individuals were seen shouting “Vel Vel” while another person danced, Razarudin said.
He said the video, which has been viewed 96,400 times since it was uploaded this morning, has snow been removed.
Police are investigating the matter under Section 298 of the Penal Code which pertains to wounding the religious feelings of others.
Another law used in the investigation is Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities.
Razarudin said police took note of the apology issued by the three presenters of the 3 Pagi Era show and by parent broadcaster, Astro Audio.
The three staff – Nabil Ahmad, Azad Jasmin (Pak Azad), and Radin Amir Affendi – apologised to the public earlier today via an Instagram post on Era FM’s official account soon after the video clip went viral and drew swift condemnation.
Astro Audio followed with a press statement to apologise and to announce the suspension of the three presenters pending an internal review.
The video which was uploaded on social media this morning showed a radio presenter appearing to mock the Kavadi dance, a Thaipusam ritual, by imitating it while chanting “Vel Vel” as others in the video laughed.
The issue also prompted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to remind Malaysians to avoid polemics on race, religion and royalty “in any form of statement or action”.
The reminder was conveyed by the Prime Minister’s Senior Press Secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah at the Prime Minister’s Office’s daily briefing today.
“The Prime Minister issued a warning to all parties and stressed that actions or speeches that touch on the 3R issue will only threaten the harmony of the country and should not be repeated,” Tunku Nashrul said.
Earlier, the video drew criticism from Hindu social media users and drew the attention of Tapah MP M. Saravanan, who called for an open apology and urged the government to take action against Era FM.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo also called for a thorough investigation against the Era FM staff as their actions were “highly offensive” and did not reflect Malaysia’s values of mutual respect.
Communications Minister Fahmii Fadzil has ordered the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to conduct a thorough investigation, and the management of Astro Audio and Era FM are to be called to the MCMC headquarters for an explanation. – March 4, 2025