Johor police chief M Kumar said investigations are being carried out under Section 298 of the Penal Code for intentionally wounding the religious feelings of others, as well as Section 505(c) of the same code, for making statements conducing to public mischief.

He said the case is also being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which criminalises offensive online content.

He said the three reports were filed in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Bahru Utara and Kluang, respectively.

“The police take the matter seriously and strictly warn all parties against playing up sentiments related to royalty, religion and race on social media that can cause division and disrupt public harmony,” he said in a statement.

Kumar added that legal action would be taken against anyone who intentionally disrupts public order and security.

Yesterday, it was reported that local celebrity Shahrol Azizie Azmi, also known as Shahrol Shiro, filed a police report regarding Harith’s Facebook post.

In the police report, Shahrol also lodged a complaint against Yap, a Facebook user.

Shahrol claimed that Harith’s post and Yap’s comment insulted Islam and the Prophet Muhammad.

In a Facebook post last week, Harith jokingly said his faith was shaken after seeing a menu advertising “Ham Sap Coffee”, because it contained the word “ham”.

His joke follows a controversy surrounding chicken ham sandwiches allegedly lacking halal certification being sold at a convenience store in Universiti Malaya.