KUALA LUMPUR: Crackhouse Comedy Club in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, here, embroiled in controversy after an open mic night participant removed her outer clothing and hijab to reveal a mini dress underneath on stage, has been ordered to shut temporarily.
The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) issued the directive after a clip of the incident went viral on social media.
Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said the temporary closure order was to send a message that the ministry and City Hall would not tolerate any activities that did not respect the sensitivities of the various religion, race and sovereignty of the country.
"This matter had also received backlash from nearby residents as well as netizens on social media who were of the opinion that the viral clip showed an act that was done with the intention of smearing the image of Islam.
"As the local authority in charge in Kuala Lumpur, DBKL will not compromise in these matters.
"DBKL has conducted an investigation on the license of the premises and has taken the action of ordering for a temporary suspension of their operations effective immediately," he said in a statement today.
In the 54-second clip, a woman, clad in a hijab and baju kurung on stage claimed she had memorised 15 juz of the Quran in introducing herself. Soon after her introduction, she stripped off her hijab and baju kurung to reveal a mini dress underneath.
Meanwhile, the premises in question, Crackhouse Comedy Club House in a Facebook post said that they strongly condemned the contents of the video and had lodged a police report on the matter.
"The individual in question and her partner were banned from the venue immediately after the performance."