Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah today said the state government has its own set of guidelines governing foreign artists performing in the country.
He said the state is not obligated to follow the guidelines for foreign artists, as Minister of Communications and Digital Fahmi Fadzil announced recently.
“But of course I don’t want to see foreign artists perform naked on stage. There are certain rules that they must follow.
“But we have to be flexible,” Karim said. He recalled the two artists who performed at the Rainforest World Music Festival at the Sarawak Cultural Village last year and said they would not be allowed to perform in other states because of the way they perform, dress and perform. on the stage.
“There will be no way for them to get a license if they perform in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.
“But we did. It reflects a kind of independence or autonomy that we have here where we can make our own decisions,” he said.
However, he stressed that all concerts, whether by local or foreign artists, must be strictly managed. On March 15, Fahmi said the government had introduced stricter guidelines for foreign artists performing in Malaysia to protect local sensitivities.
He added that he consulted with all communities, including Muslims and non-Muslims, when drafting the updated guidelines.
Updated instructions were made available on the website of the Central Authority for Filming and Performance of Foreign Artists (Puspal) on December 31 of last year.
For example, under new regulations for ‘live’ concerts and performances, foreign male artists are not allowed to ‘wear see-through’ when performing in Malaysia.
The updated guidelines also clarify that foreign male and female performers are not allowed to take off their clothes during performances. Another rule states that large-scale concerts and “live” performances by international actors cannot take place on the eve of a Muslim holiday and on the same day, unless otherwise authorized. authorized by the respective Islamic authorities.
This includes the month of Ramadan, Awal Muharram, Maulidur Rasul, Isra’ Mikraj, Nisfu Sya’ban, Nuzul Al-Quran, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidiladha.
