One of the scenes in the gambling raya advertisement.
(Source: Kosmo)

SHAH ALAM – Tone-deaf Raya advertisement by GDBet333 which involves elements of gambling is still the talk of the town after it went viral on social media a few weeks ago.

The controversial advertisement is still under investigation by the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

Most of the public on social media opined that the company was callous towards the religious sensitivities because they used Eid Al-Fitr celebration and only Muslim talents in making the advertisement.

However, all the parties involved have now been detained under Section 504 of the Penal Code and Section 4(1)(g) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

The video which lasted about two minutes was also deleted on every social media platform such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube as instructed by MCMC.

According to the Deputy Dean of Creative Multimedia from Multimedia University (MMU), Ellyna Hashim, stated that it is only ethical if it promotes positivity and highlights cultural or racial harmony.

“Since YouTube, the Association of Accredited Advertising Agency Malaysia (4A) and Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) have lost control over censorship and this needs to be addressed as more advertisers are cashing in on publicity stunts rather than a real creative message.

“Real agency, real creatives are still out there adhering to the timeless concept of really good creative advertising practices,” she said during an interview session with Berita DIMENSi via WhatsApp.

A well-known actor, Ashraf Muslim, also claimed through Mstar.com on 16 April, social media is the easiest platform to deliver the advertisement, but the concept of it promoted by the production company is considered wrong religion-wise.

One of the talents that was involved in GDBet333 advertisement.

(Source: Hype.my)

Based on an interview with a radio announcer cum content creator, Keanu Azman, stated that every director and scriptwriter should look after the sensitivity of religion.

“In this context, they used gambling which is haram in Islam and yet it is the commercial about Hari Raya.

“They should not be using number one Muslim actors or talents in a gambling commercial and they should not have used an Islamic festivity as part of a gambling commercial.

“They should always tell the talents upfront that this is a gambling commercial and make sure the talents are comfortable with it,” said Keanu Azman during an interview session with Berita DIMENSi via WhatsApp.

He also stated that most talents in Malaysia do not bother asking when they are offered money because to them, this is a form of income. The risk that comes with it is sometimes worth more than the payment they received.

“Newcomers in the industry should always be brave enough to ask about the project that they want to be in if they are offered a commercial with a certain amount of money.

“Does not matter how small or big the amount of the money, they should ask first the synopsis of it.

“I think newcomers in the industry should not be too money-minded.

“Yes, money is a very important income, but they did not care about the message of this commercial,” he said.

He also urges all newcomers in the industry to stay out of a certain project if they deem it is insensitive and may cause harm to their well-being.

Somehow, this tone-deaf advertisement has given the opportunity for the advertising industry to be more conscious in regards to sensitive topics such as religion. They should also take into account the context, and the talents used to avoid issues such as that have been mentioned.

Nevertheless, the police are still aware of two more videos of the gambling advertisement.

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