Cops, MCMC must probe alleged insult to Rukun Negara in viral video, says minister

KUALA LUMPUR: The Class A Crime Investigation Unit (USJT) at Bukit Aman has taken over the investigation into a video performance that allegedly undermines the Rukun Negara, a set of national principles, and contains racially insensitive statements. The Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Fadil Marsus confirmed the initial report of the case, which was made at the Tun Razak Highway Police Station under the administration of IPD Wangsa Maju at 8:30 PM last night.

The report was submitted by a witness who noticed the video clip of the theatrical performance posted on an Instagram account, which was later deleted and reposted by a Facebook user.

The investigation will be conducted fully by USJT Bukit Aman. It is also anticipated that several more police reports related to the same issue will be made nationwide, all referring back to the original report from Wangsa Maju. The 10-minute video shows five actors reciting each principle of the Rukun Negara while accompanied by dark humor and statements that could touch upon ethnic sensitivities in a performance.

Preliminary research indicates that the video content has the potential to incite public outrage, speculation, and undermine national security and community harmony. The physical theater collective from Malaysia based in both Malaysia and the United Kingdom reportedly created the play, which was believed to have been performed in 2018 before being reposted recently to celebrate Malaysia Day.