There have been calls for an update to the guidelines on concerts and foreign acts that come to Malaysia to perform for a long while now.
Now, it seems that some of the requested rules are to be included based on the latest proposal on government guidelines on concerts and live shows.
According to a proposed set of guidelines, male foreign artistes will no longer allowed to “cross-dress” or dress up like women when performing in Malaysia and that both male and female foreign acts will not be allowed to remove any clothing during their performances.
These are some of the new rules added to guidelines by the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal).
Another new rule is for large-scale concerts and live performances by international acts to be barred from being held on the night before and actual days of Islamic public holidays unless permitted by the “respective Islamic authorities”.
Among the examples of Islamic occasions listed in the guidelines include the entire fasting month of Ramadan, the Islamic New Year on Awal Muharram and Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
However, the new guidelines reduced the number of blackout dates for shows during Malaysia’s independence celebrations, which includes National Day and Malaysia Day.
New rules state that blackout dates will be limited to August 30 to 31 and from September 15 to 16.
When asked to comment, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the updates to the guidelines 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 spelt out so that they can be easily understood,” he said.
The government is expected to unveil these new guidelines for international acts taking the stage in Malaysia by the end of 2023.
“It should be ready by December this year, to be enforced in 2024. Among our suggestions are to improve the level of concerts and live performances for the audience,” he explained.
“Malaysia is planning to attract more international stars to hold their shows here, and such measures will be introduced later,” said Fahmi.
On the criteria prohibiting cross-dressing for male foreign acts, Fahmi said, “Malaysia does not discriminate against any international act from coming here.”
“But foreign artistes will have to follow the code of conduct and dress code in the guidelines when they perform on stage in Malaysia.”
What do you think of the changes? Let us know in the comments.
Also read: Preacher Slams Blackpink’s Concert for Not Being Cancelled Despite Flash Floods in Several States
This post first appeared on WORLD OF BUZZ.
