Couple who mocked Ramadan to surrender at Bukit Aman - Ku Chin Wah

The couple who mocked Ramadan with a Facebook posting that touched on the sensitivity of Muslims is expected to surrender at the Bukit Aman police headquarters soon, Kuala Lumpur CID chief Datuk Ku Chin Wah said today.

Alvin Tan Jye Yee and Vivian Lee will present themselves at Bukit Aman with their lawyer, he said.

"They informed us that they will surrender at Bukit Aman but we have been unable to reach them so far," he told reporters.

Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar urged the couple to come forward and have their statements recorded.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said that they could be charged under a number of laws, including the Sedition Act, for their Facebook post.

Meanwhile, Malaysians of all races who are still upset over the incident lodged numerous police reports demanding that the couple be taught a lesson in tolerance and sensitivity.

In SHAH ALAM, the 264-member Shah Alam Taxi Drivers and Rental Car Association lodged a report at the Shah Alam police headquarters today denouncing the couple's insensitivity.

"They must be taught a lesson and made to realise they can't get away with a mere apology, so that others are deterred from causing such issues. We live in Malaysia and there must be tolerance among the multi-racial community here," association president Yazid Mohamad Yusof told reporters.

In KUALA LUMPUR, the Malaysian New Indian Youth Welfare and Charity Organisation (Perinbam) lodged a similar report at the Dang Wangi police headquarters today.

Perinbam president U. Thamotharan said Tan and Vivian's insult could seriously mar race relations and therefore the government should take stern action against them to prevent future occurrences.

In MELAKA, Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron was of the opinion that rather than taking stern action against them, Tan and Vivian and their parents should be educated to prevent the recurrence of such behaviour.

"It will be great if taking stern action guarantees that such incidents would not be repeated. But I'm concerned that punishing them severely would only lead to grudge and vengeance," he said.

He said Malaysians should appreciate the nation's diversity as a strength rather than treat each other as enemies due to differences in religion and culture.

The couple, who had previously caused a controversy over their pornographic video clip, had posted a photograph of them eating 'bak kut teh' (a pork dish), on Facebook last Friday with a caption offensive to Muslims.