Malaysians Find Comedian Harith Iskander's 'Ham Sap' & 'Ham' Joke Insensitive And Unfunny
'Ham sap' means 'perverted' in Cantonese.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 21 Jan 2025, 01:49 PM
Malaysians have criticised comedian Harith Iskander's recent "ham sap" and "ham" joke, calling it unfunny and insensitive
The backlash followed Harith's photo featuring a coffee shop's menu item named "Ham Sap Kopi", and referencing the recent controversy involving two convenience stores selling non-halal ham and cheese sandwiches.
In the Instagram post on Saturday, 18 January, Harith jokingly remarked that the coffee's name was having a bad influence on him, saying, "I'm so confused. My iman is triggered."
"This kopi will lead me down the wrong path in so many ways. Not just tempting me to become 'ham sap' (perverted) but also confusing me with the word 'ham' in it. Is this for drinking or eating?
"I must make a police report because I am so weak. I have lost all ability to use logic. Who else is confused?" the 58-year-old comedian wrote sarcastically.
At the time of writing, the post has garnered over 2,600 likes and 640 comments
"#BoikotHarithIskander," a netizen hashtagged.
"When you are no longer relevant or funny, of course you have to ride [on] this halal haram issue, kan? Try harder because you made yourself look pathetic," read a top comment.
"People like this have no sensitivity towards religion, that's why they think everything is funny even though they themselves are not funny. What a pity, this clown," wrote another Instagram user.
Meanwhile, actor and UMNO member Shahrol Azizie Azmi lodged a police report against Harith
Posting a photo of the police report on his Instagram profile yesterday, 20 January, Shahrol also named an individual called Cecelia Yap in the complaint, accusing her and Harith of insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Kluang district police chief Bahrin Mohd Noh confirmed receiving the report, according to Malaysiakini.
The case will be investigated under Section 298 and Section 505(c) of the Penal Code, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, for wounding religious feelings, public mischief, and transmitting obscene communication.
SAYS has reached out to Harith and the coffee shop for a comment but has yet to receive a reply.
