Witness ‘taken aback’ when accused removed baju kurung, court hears

March 21, 2023

KUALA LUMPUR: A witness told the sessions court here today he was “taken aback” when a performer took her baju kurung and tudung off on stage almost immediately after she claimed to have memorised 15 chapters of the Quran.

“I blanked out but had to neutralise the situation so the show could go on,” said Asyraf Kamal Musthaffa.

The graphic designer, who was the host on duty at the Crackhouse Comedy Club on June 4, 2022, said two more individuals had been scheduled to perform after Siti Nuramira Abdullah.

Nuramira is standing trial for allegedly causing disharmony among the Muslim community during her performance at the club in Taman Tun Dr Ismail.

Ashraf said staff at the club had informed him that Nuramira, who referred to herself as “Amy”, and her partner “Alex”, wanted to perform a comedy routine that day.

He said he gave them a short briefing on what they could and could not say on stage since the duo were “newcomers” at the club.

“I said, try not to touch on sensitive issues, and told them to enjoy themselves on stage,” he said during his testimony.

DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :

Asked by deputy public prosecutor Abdul Malik Ayob whether there was a house rule which required a host to brief newcomers, Ashraf said “stand-up” performers usually have an understanding on the matter.

“There are no written rules. In ‘stand-ups’, performers do not touch on the three ‘Rs’ (race, religion and royalty).

“It is something that we should understand ourselves,” he said.

Related video: Crackhouse Comedy Club: Siti Nuramira broke ‘3R rule’ during her act, says witness (Dailymotion)

He also told judge Nor Hasniah Ab Razak that he noticed a mixed reaction among members of the audience.

When a recording of the performance was played in court, Asyraf identified Nuramira as the person performing the routine in the video.

He said the audience was told not to take video recordings or photographs of live performances.

DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :

He also said he did not know who recorded Nuramira’s performance that day.

“This (performance) was not what stand-up comedy represents.

“Basically, (in stand-up comedy) we will go up on stage and tell a joke. As you can see, there was no joke,” he said.

Cross-examined by defence lawyer R Sivaraj, Ashraf admitted he had no formal training in hosting comedy shows.

He also confirmed that the club was a private venue and those who intended to watch a live show were required to buy a ticket.

Sivaraj: Do you agree that race and religion have been used in a comedic sense (in the past)?”

Asyraf: Yes.

Earlier, Sivaraj objected to the presence in court of the club’s former co-owner Rizal van Geyzel.

Malik apologised to the court for the prosecution’s oversight and informed Nor Hasniah he had told Rizal not to be present when proceedings resumed in the morning after a break.

Nuramira is charged under Section 298A of the Penal Code which provides that whoever causes disharmony, disunity, or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will on grounds of religion, between persons or groups of persons professing the same or different religions commits an offence.

The offence is punishable with imprisonment of between two and five years.

The hearing continues.