A lawyer has come forth explaining the controversy surrounding three Era FM DJs was a ‘misunderstanding’, as chronology reveals that they never intended to insult Thaipusam rituals.
Mahmud Jumaat, of Messrs Emir Mahmud & Co, said that he confirmed this after he got in touch with one of the DJs, Azad.
He claimed that the by clip played by Jelutong MP RSN Rayer in Parliament was edited to only include a five-second segment when "Vel-Vel" was mentioned.
“Did RSN Rayer receive the full video clip? If so, why was only this specific part repeatedly played in Parliament?
"I believe that if the full, uncut video was taken from the beginning, it would have been clear that Pak Azad was merely imitating Miki’s dance because the Paquetá song’s background music can clearly be heard.
“It would also have been evident that they were laughing not because someone said ”Vel-Vel" but because Azad’s imitation of Miki’s dance was humorous.” he said.
He concluded that there was misunderstanding and it is clear that someone wanted to betray, and slander the trio.
The Era DJs- Azad Jazmin, Nabil Ahmad and Radin were thrown into hot water after a video appeared online showing Azad's dancing purportedly mocking Kavadi rituals with ‘Vel-Vel’ chant in the background.
Era has since apologized and the trio came to Batu Caves to offer their apology. Since then, the police, ministers and authorities have urged constraint from the public. IGP Razarudin Hussein said that a total of 73 police reports were lodged and the investigation papers are now with the Attorney General's Chamber.
In another post, Mahmud listed four reasons why the dance was not a mockery of Kavadi. Rather, Azad was parodying the prominent Muay Thai fighter Miki Ghazali's entrance dance.
- From the hip movements to the head shakes, it was an exact replica of Miki Ghazali’s entrance dance.
- The background music in the video post was also the entrance song of Miki Ghazali.
- Azad himself tagged Miki Ghazali at @mikipapa and even joked, “If you need a backup dancer, let me know.”
- Show me any element in the Kavadi dance that matches these characteristics.
Mahmud then added that the apology was hurried and made excessively, especially when the go all the way to Batu Caves.
"This is precisely why, in court, we usually advise our clients not to rush into making an apology but instead to first explain what actually happened.
Immediately admitting fault and apologizing may give the impression that they had the intent to insult or mock the Hindu religion," he said.
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