KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup wants action to be taken against the sex bloggers for their posting associating Ramadan with bak ku teh.
"What they had done was very insensitive, more so during the holy month of Ramadan for the Muslims.
"Their action had not only hurt the Government's efforts to foster greater unity amongst the people but destroyed the unity that exists," said Kurup, who is in charge of national unity.
He reminded those wishing to express themselves with regard to religion and customs of others to show due respect.
"This is the key to national intergration," he said adding that what Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee had done was no joking matter.
Kurup said the reason given by Tan that the posting was done in jest could not be accepted and appropriate action should be taken against them in light of the public outcry.
"Action should be taken against them to cool down the situation following the public outcry," he told reporters at Parliament lobby on Monday.
The two incurred the wrath of netizens — both Muslims and non-Muslims — for their greeting which featured a photograph of them eating bak kut teh with buka puasa wishes.
In less than 24 hours after the Thursday’s post, they received over 500 comments all lambasting them over their lack of sensitivity towards Malaysian Muslims.
Tan had told The Star that the posting was for “no reason. Just a joke, I guess” and later issued an apology.
Communications and Multimedia Deputy Minister Datuk Jalani Johari said the couple would be investigated under the Penal Code and Sedition Act, besides those carried out by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
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