Harith Iskander Fined RM10K Over 'Ham' Joke, MCMC Requests Facebook Suspension
Facebook user Cecelia Yap was also fined RM10,000 for her comments on the 'ham' sandwich controversy.
Actor-comedian Harith Iskander has been fined RM10,000 over a social media post featuring a coffee shop menu item called "Ham Sap Kopi" and referencing the 'ham & cheese' sandwich controversy that erupted in January at Universiti Malaya
In a statement on its official Facebook account last night, 5 March, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it had received approval from the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) to impose the fine for posting content and offensive comments related to Islam.
Facebook user Cecelia Yap was also fined the same amount for her comments under Harith's post, under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (abuse of network facilities). MCMC noted that the penalty was based on provisions in force before last month's amendments to the law.
MCMC has also requested Meta to suspend the Facebook accounts of both Harith and Cecelia over their comments
"Following a request, Meta has taken down the content as it violated Facebook's community guidelines," MCMC said, adding that its request to suspend their Facebook accounts is currently under review.