Malaysian businessman and self-proclaimed number 1 singer, Dato Seri Aliff Syukri, released his latest Raya song, Raya ya ya, last month, but his Raya song from three years ago is “haunting” him.
Aliff was ordered to enter his defence by the Sessions Court here yesterday (March 14) on four counts of uploading indecent video in conjunction with Aidilfitri almost three years ago.
The mentioned video is the music video for Aliff’s Raya song in 2022—Kelepok Raya, which sees a few men dancing in tight outfits.
Judge Ahmad Fuad Othman made this decision after finding that the prosecution had succeeded in proving prima facie at the end of the prosecution case, reported Sinar Harian.
“The indecent things that were brought up, men dressed as women and wearing makeup, they even danced in a gentle, sinuous manner.”
“Remember, we live in a Malay society, it is not polite to do so,” the judge said.
Aliff was given three options by the court, namely,
- To give a sworn statement from the witness stand with the prosecution given the opportunity to question him during cross-examination.
- Giving an unsworn statement without cross-examination by the prosecution.
- Remain silent.
Meanwhile, lawyer Awang Armadajaya, who represents Aliff, requested the court to set another date to seek options for how to defend himself.
When asked, Aliff told the media that he would leave the matter to his legal team.
“After almost two years of ups and downs in the court, I respect the court’s decision.”
Awang said the court had set the defence trial to last for four days starting from May 19 and 22, June 19, and July 3, and Aliff is expected to decide on the three options in the next proceedings.
According to all four charges, Aliff Syukri is accused of making and initiating the transmission of a communication, namely a video of a deviant and offensive nature.
The charge was made under Section 233 (1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and is punishable under Section 233 (3) of the same act, which carries a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or a maximum imprisonment of one year or both and shall also be liable to a further fine of RM1,000 for each day the offence continues after conviction.
