BFM threatened with death and rape over hudud video

KUALA LUMPUR - BFM has taken down its video questioning hudud after the video presenter received death and rape threats.

The business radio station said the video titled “Hudud Isi Periuk Nasi?” (Does hudud fill our rice bowls?) was not meant to question the “desirability” of the Islamic penal code, but that it was a satirical commentary on whether the implementation of hudud should be Kelantan’s top priority in light of economic issues and problems faced by flood victims.

“We have taken the decision to take down the video in view of the offence it might have caused,” BFM said in a statement.

“We wholly and unreservedly condemn the vile and vicious threats that have been levelled against Aisyah Tajuddin,” BFM added, referring to the video presenter.

“Such threats are not only against the laws of our country, but have no place in a society that espouses peace and tolerance,” said the radio station.

BFM said the video on hudud was part of the Kupas video series, a Malay-language programme featuring social commentary on current issues and created in collaboration with online platform Projek Dialog.

Malay Mail Online understands that Projek Dialog requested for BFM to take down the video out of concern for Aisyah’s safety.

“Projek Dialog felt that it would be dangerous for her safety to still have it up there,” a source said.

Social media users with Malay names had threatened to kill or rape Aisyah, besides using slurs such as “whore” against her, when the video went viral after its release yesterday.

They also urged authorities to take action against the BFM journalist, accusing her of insulting Islam.

BFM said today it merely asked that its audience consider “legitimate questions” on the implementation of hudud law.

“We wish to apologise if any offence arose,” said BFM.

The radio station also stressed that Aisyah was merely a stand-in cast member of the video and not a regular presenter.

“She is not the author of the script and so the views of the video are not a reflection of her personal stance on the issue,” said BFM.

Kelantan, administered by Islamist party PAS, passed amendments to the Shariah Criminal Code II 1993 yesterday in a bid to enforce hudud law in the state ― despite fierce opposition from its Pakatan Rakyat (PR) allies, DAP and PKR.

PAS is expected to table private members’ Bills in Parliament to remove legal roadblocks in the implementation of the Islamic penal code that punishes apostasy with the death penalty and theft with the amputation of limbs.