AN opposition MP has demanded an explanation from Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias as to whether his “lifetime ban” announcement on Crackhouse Comedy Club co-owner Rizal Van Geyzel was made on his own accord.
Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng noted that the ban ran contrary to a supposed recommendation by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) licensing committee to only blacklist Rizal from registering a license in Kuala Lumpur for one year.
The Kuala Lumpur DAP secretary claimed that he was informed about this by a credible source.
“While I don’t approve of actions or statements aimed at insulting any religion or race, I also disapprove of any bans by the authorities which defy rules and regulations,” Lim, who is a lawyer by profession, pointed out in a media statement today.
As a metropolitan city governed by rules and regulations – in particular, those imposed by DBKL – Lim said Jalaluddin is obliged to “enlighten the public” by clarifying which specific provisions of the law empowered him to impose “life sentences” such as the one preventing Rizal from registering any businesses in the city.
“(This is) particularly in light of the fact that entertainment licenses are granted to companies and not individuals,” said Lim.
Lim also asked if the deputy minister was aware that he has no power to issue such a personal ban on Rizal.
“One might scoff at the drabness of my inquiry but beware – silence on the deputy minister’s behalf could only be interpreted as admission to the carelessness with which he dealt with the matter.”
“Threatened to sue”
Following the ban, lawyers acting on behalf of the Crackhouse Comedy Club’s co-owners threatened to initiate legal action against Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah unless he reverses the blacklisting of van Geyzel from registering other businesses effective July 30.
The duo also wants to see in black and white the notice to suspend the club’s operating license, which was also announced by Jalaluddin on Wednesday (Aug 17).
According to news reports, if official notice is not provided within 48 hours of the prohibition and licence revocation, the matter will be taken to court.
Last month, Jalaluddin reportedly said that the Crackhouse premises, located on the outskirts of Taman Tun Dr Ismail, were operating without the correct license; it only had a restaurant license instead of an entertainment license.
To recap, the operation of the club was temporarily suspended in early July after video clips of a performance by a stand-up comedian at the club, who was later accused of allegedly insulting Islam and charged in court, went viral.
On July 22, Rizal, 39, who is also the club’s founder, was charged in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court with three counts of uploading videos on social media platforms that allegedly touched on racial and religious sensitivities.
Rizal and his family have since received death threats, while the signboard of the club, its entrance and posters outside the club were vandalised with paint last month. The police believe both incidents were connected.
Around this time, DBKL temporarily suspended the club’s operating licence as well. – Aug 20, 2022
Main photo credit: The Star
