But better news from Egypt

Malaysia has clamped down on comedians accused of producing a satirical online video.

One of the country’s top sitcoms has been pulled from screens amid claims that one of its stars took part in the spoof chat show, which made jokes about contentious local issues such as the education system.

And police have vowed to scrutinise the 11-minute video – described as ‘laced with political satire and innuendos’ – to determine whether it was seditious or defamatory.

The video, Onederful Malaysia CNY 2014, was fronted by an MP, Teresa Kok, pictured, who urged authorities to ‘stop this desperate witch hunt.’

She said she had never approached any of the actors in the sitcom 88 Kopitiam to participate in the video, which was released to mark Chinese New Year, and urged state broadcaster Radio Television Malaysia to reinstate the show.

Kok said: ‘I am fully responsible for the Chinese New Year video clip. The actors should be allowed to do whatever programme they choose, they should not be tortured like this. ‘

RTM boss Datuk Norhyati Ismail is reported to have said: ‘RTM will not hesitate to take stern action against any actor involved with such programmes’

Norhyati also pledged to review any programme that is linked to activities that ‘tarnish the name and image of the country’.

Meanwhile, a group of hardliners calling themselves ‘Council of Muslim NGOs’ [non-government organisations] offered the equivalent of £220 to anyone who who would slap Kok, to show their anger over the video, which they claim is anti-Islam and anti-Malay.

The group also slaughtered chickens as part of the protest –  smearing the animals' blood on a banner which featured Kok.

However Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi refused to investigate the threats. ‘Slapping is not a threat,’ he reportedly said. ‘If they say murder, then it is a threat.’

This is the contentious video:

Meanwhile, in Egypt, comedian Bassem Youssef, is back on air and mocking army chiefs.

Dubbed ‘the Egyptian Jon Stewart’, Youssef’s previous show was axed in November amid growing intolerance for dissent.

He said on his new show The Programme: ‘We’re continuing. And we’ll say whatever we want, and won’t be scared of anyone.’

And as a silhouette of army chief Abdel Fattah Al Sisi appeared on screen, he said sarcastically: ‘ Some get upset when we mention some people, so it’s best we don’t bring them up... this isn’t fear, it’s respect.’

Sisi then become a running joke throughout the show.

Published: 9 Feb 2014