Concert organizers in Malaysia must now heed new rules that have been added by the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artists (Puspal).
Among those rules is a prohibition on cross-dressing by male foreign artists while performing in the country.
In addition, large-scale concerts and live performances by international acts may no longer be held on the night before Islamic public holidays and on the actual date of such occasions.
“This is unless it is allowed by the respective Islamic authorities,” read the updated guidelines, as sighted by The Star.
Among the examples of Islamic occasions listed in the guidelines is the entire month of Ramadan, on Awal Muharram, Maulidur Rasul, Isra’ Mikraj, Nisfu Sya’ban, Nuzul Al-Quran, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, and Hari Raya Aidiladha.
Foreign artists are not allowed to hold big concerts and live performances on such days out of respect for religious events.
Prior to 2019, the rules did not place any limitations on performances on the eve of such occasions and did not list specific religious events, with the exception of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting.
The “blackout dates” for performances during the nation’s independence celebration, which includes National Day on August 31 and Malaysia Day on September 16, were, however, reduced by the new regulations.
Previously, all open concerts by foreign artists were prohibited during the independence month of August 25 to September 16.
The new rule states that such large-scale shows are not permitted from August 30 to 31 and September 15 to 16.
Asked to comment further, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the updates were made to protect the sensitivities of everybody in Malaysia.
“We have consulted all communities, including Muslims and non-Muslims, in drafting the updated guidelines.
“At the same time, the guidelines were also amended after receiving feedback from industry players.
“We agreed to make the guidelines more clearly spelled out so that they can be easily understood,” he told The Star.
Check out these other stories:
