‘Flying Dayak’ gets apology from TV presenter
MIRI: A presenter has apologised to former national sprinter Watson Nyambek for insulting his father’s name, even as police said that the TV host would be called in for questioning over the matter.
Watson lodged a police report yesterday against Azizul Ammar Abu Hassan and said that he felt insulted by the presenter.
Azizul had mimicked the sound of a goat as he said the name Nyambek on the Sukan Tak Sentral comedy show screened by TV3.
He apologised to Watson and his family for the insult, in an Instagram post on Sunday, saying that he had done so unwittingly.
The TV station has also issued an apology for it.
“I respect our national athlete for his successes that elevated Malaysia’s name in the international scene,” Azizul wrote in the apology.
Sarawak CID chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Dev Kumar said Azizul will be investigated under Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentional insult.
“We have reviewed the recording of the TV show and have received the report lodged by Watson.
“We will question the presenter and producer of the show,” he said.
If convicted, an offender faces up to two years in jail , a fine, or both.
In his report, Watson, 41, dubbed the “Flying Dayak” in his heyday, urged police to investigate the motive behind the insult.
“Even though the TV station has apologised to me I still want the police to proceed,” he said.
Watson was declared bankrupt after failing to settle a RM80,000 loan he took to pay for his father’s cancer treatment three years ago.
The loan was settled by the late Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem earlier this year.
In a statement, Persatuan Seniman Malaysia president Zed Zaidi said it would also investigate the incident and might take disciplinary action against Azizul if he was found to be a member of the association.