IT’S curtains down for Crackhouse Comedy Club as its owner Rizal Van Geyzel has been permanently blacklisted from registering a business license for any premises in the capital.
Deputy Federal Territories Minister Jalaluddin Alias said Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) licensing committee decided to revoke the comedy club’s licence effective July 30.
“We have also decided to blacklist the owner for life from registering business licenses in Kuala Lumpur,” he was quoted as saying by Malay daily Berita Harian today (Aug 17).
“This means the owner cannot register any businesses in the city even if he is using another name and company.”
Jalaluddin further noted that DBKL is monitoring several clubs suspected of similar activities around the capital.
“Any entertainment licence we issue (business owners) must comply with rules and regulations and those who violate the licensing conditions will not be spared from strict action,” he stressed.
Crackhouse came under heavy scrutiny recently over controversial performances that touched on Islam, which saw a woman and her boyfriend arrested.
Rizal later landed in hot water too when several old videos of controversial comedy performances resurfaced.
He was arrested by Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department’s Classified Investigation Unit on July 14 and remanded.
He is currently facing three charges under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA).
“This sounds very personal”
Netizens have taken to social media to question DBKL’s move, calling the cancellation of the Crackhouse Comedy Club’s business license “ridiculous” and “very personal”.
“Crackhouse’s license has been cancelled, okay. The owner has been blacklisted, this sounds very personal,” tweeted user @justalhafiz.
“Lainlah kalua pemilik gunakan premis untuk pelacuran ke, proses dadah ke logik la.”
(Unless the owner had used the premise for prostitution or to process drugs then it’s logical.)
Similarly, user @HRDipendra said, “Wow, it is ridiculous and extremely disproportionate. This should be challenged and overturned. Plus [the owner] should sue the dodgy duo who caused this.”
User @dkamrl jokingly suggested Crackhouse Comedy Club relocate to Bandar Mahkota Cheras.
“Never mind, I welcome Crackhouse Comedy Club to open in Bandar Mahkota Cheras. It happens that BMC has plenty of empty shop lots.”
User @kelvinlym noted, “When we have politically-appointed mayors and city councilors this is what we get. The owner should probably consider legal avenues.”
However, some netizens applauded DBKL’s move, with user @geek_twin saying, “Fair enough. Insulting religion should never be taken lightly no matter which [beliefs] you practice.”
His view was echoed by user @TajuddinKamil, who pointed out that this was a good move.
“You say something sensitive whether in the form of a joke or a statement, the result can be disastrous. The authorities have nipped it in the bud. Well done!” – Aug 17, 2022
Main photo credit: The Star
