Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia: Police have arrested four Myanmar nationals as part of their investigation into the offensive remarks mocking Islam printed on a Domino’s Pizza order slip last week.
According to Datuk Hamzah Ahmad, the Penang police chief, 17 police complaints were filed over the incident.
“Four foreign nationals, three men and one woman, have been detained to assist in investigations into the case on the same day of the incident,” he said.
On May 16, Police arrested the four foreigners, aged between 19 and 67, from a hut in a durian orchard in Sungai Ara.
The four foreigners include a 28-year-old woman. Three of them have been remanded until June 3, while one person, aged 67, is out on police bail.
Three of them, including a 28-year-old woman, have been remanded until June 3 while the 67-year-old was remanded is out on police bail.
The police are investigating all possible motives due to the sensitivity of the case, Hamzah said.
Statements of several witnesses have also been recorded, he said.
Last week, police opened investigations into the case after receiving a police report over the words in the remarks section of an order placed via the pizza franchise’s online platform.
Police opened the case last week under Section 298 of the Penal Code for religious incitement, which is punishable by up to a year’s imprisonment, fine, or both upon conviction.
Pizza order receipt mocks Islam
In the heart of Penang’s Bayan Lepas, a pizza order sparked a firestorm of controversy as police investigated offensive comments on a receipt, raising concerns it was a religious provocation. The incident occurred at a popular pizza franchise. It has sparked a wave of discussion on social media platforms and drew public attention to the issue.
Following a complaint received at 8:46 p.m., police immediately opened an investigation into the receipt, shared by a user named @Update1111 on social media. Kamarul Rizal Jenal, the Southwest District Police Chief, said the receipt came from an order placed through the Domino’s online platform at 3:03 pm on May 15 and it carried comments that are deemed an insult to Islam.
The remark in the receipt read: “At This Noisy Place With Stupid Moaning Sound Like Have S*x Everyday, Stupid Islam.”
Section 298 invoked
The seriousness of the situation led the authorities to invoke Section 298 of the Penal Code, which regulates acts intended to hurt religious sentiments. Additionally, it provides for severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines, upon conviction.
Assemblyman intervenes
Datuk Azrul Mahathir Aziz, the Bayan Lepas assemblyman, intervened and visited the outlet in his constituency. After speaking to outlet supervisors and the regional manager, Mohd Shukri Salem, Azrul shed light on the incident. Contrary to initial speculation, it turned out that the customer had entered the offensive comments in the remark section of the online order and they automatically appeared on the receipt.
Domino’s files police complaint
Azrul expressed concern about the incident’s potential to cause unrest, called for restraint and urged authorities to treat the matter judiciously. Given the growing public interest, Domino’s management also filed a police complaint, indicating its willingness to cooperate with the investigation.
The dangers of digital communication
While debates take place online and offline, this incident is a stark reminder of the power and dangers of digital communication. What began as a simple pizza order has become a complex legal and social issue, raising questions about responsibility, accountability and the delicate balance between freedom of expression and respect for religious sensitivities.
Amid heated debates, all parties must exercise restraint and allow authorities to conduct their investigations impartially. Even when emotions run high, calm and encouraging dialogue is essential to get through such difficult times.
ALSO READ: Pizza order gone wrong! Receipt with offensive remarks mocking Islam sparks outrage in Malaysia