Take action against ERA FM on sensitive video mocking Thaipusam, says backbencher

Backbencher RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) called for action to be taken against ERA FM and its staff for insulting the Thaipusam celebration.

“I demand ERA FM to apologise to the Hindus in Malaysia. I want the Communications Minister to take a stern action and all of the staff who were featured in the video to be put on garden leave until this matter is resolved,” said Rayer who is also Penang Hindu Endowment Board chairman who was accompanied by Senator Dr A Lingeshwaran.

“The National Unity Minister needs to intervene. It is upto the police to take action,” he added.

The original clip is no longer available, but copies of it have since gone viral.

In the video, an Era FM host known as Pak Azad was seen dancing to a “vel vel” chant by several other staff members before he burst into laughter.

The chant “vel vel” invokes the Hindu deity Lord Muruga and is often chanted during Thaipusam when a person is taking the kavadi.

A blatant insult to faith

In a related development Datuk M Saravanan (BN-Tapah) said that the action of ERA FM staff was a brainless act of mockery that is offensive to the Hindus in Malaysia.

“This is not just stupidity – it is a blatant insult to the faith and traditions of Hindus in Malaysia. Such a disgusting display of ignorance and disrespect has no place in our society.

“Era FM, as a media organization, should know better than to allow this kind of offensive nonsense.

“Their staff have proven themselves to be utterly unfit to work in the media industry if they lack even the most basic understanding of religious and cultural sensitivities.

“This is not humor but an act of mockery that deeply offends the Hindu community,” he said in a statement today.