From Gender Segregation To Restricting Stage Performances, A List Of Things Jakim Wants

And people on social media are not too pleased with the new guidelines issued by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department.

By | 19 Apr 2015, 10:07 AM

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Segregation of male and female audiences during concerts

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Males and females are to be segregated during concerts, according to a new set of guidelines drawn up by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

In a section dealing with the organisation of entertainment events, Jakim said programmes should not allow "mixing (percampuran) of males and females in the audience". The guidelines were endorsed during the 107th National Fatwa Committee Meeting held on Feb 10-11 this year.

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Men and women should not mingle during practices/rehearsals

Entertainers coming to Malaysia will now have to adhere to these new rules prepared by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), which imposes limitations on stage performances, dress and behaviour codes and gender segregation for attendees, reported the Malay Mail Online.

Jakim also wants artistes to possess "noble and good character" even outside their performances and they should not have any criminal record, whether in civil or Shariah court.

During the performance, artists must "dress decently" in attire that covers their "intimate body parts" that Muslims cover with clothing.

Concerts and stage shows in Malaysia have come under scrutiny recently after a three-minute online video showed tudung-clad Muslim fans being hugged and kissed by K-pop artistes B14A at a mini-concert at the Live Centre in Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.

Concerts and stage shows in Malaysia have come under scrutiny recently after a three-minute online video showed tudung-clad Muslim fans being hugged and kissed by K-pop artistes B14A at a mini-concert at the Live Centre in Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.

Image via TMI

The religious authority also said that dressing, accessories and hairstyles must not resemble that of a different gender of the artiste. Cross-dressing during any performance is also banned.

SNSD Girls' Generation at the Sepang F1 Post-Race Concert

SNSD Girls' Generation at the Sepang F1 Post-Race Concert

Image via Hype Malaysia

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For stage performances, Jakim insists that jokes told should be "sparing", must "toe the line", and should not lead to "extreme laughter". Entertainers are also forbidden from making light of "serious and mournful matters".

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Meanwhile, song lyrics should contain "goodness and pure values", in addition to "bringing awareness" and "leading to repentance"

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The music accompanying the lyrics, on the other hand, should "motivate positive atmosphere" and "bring peace", instead of evoking "negative emotions that contradict Islamic teachings".

The new guidelines also specify that any entertainment events must be referred to the authorities for guidance.

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While Jakim said the new rules would ensure that entertainment programmes were based on the Islamic faith and codes, and moral values, stakeholders of the live concerts industry say Jakim's guidelines are unrealistic and could damage the industry

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Arts, Live Festival and Events Association (ALIFE) acting president Datuk Razlan Razali said he was shocked, as it would affect live performances in Malaysia if the guidelines were enforced.

"This is an ad hoc and knee-jerk reaction. It's taking us 10 steps backwards," he said. "They didn't take into account the industry or stakeholders. We were not consulted or involved in any way."

Razlan said more clarity was needed and he wanted an explanation. "We are not sure what the action or penalties will be," he said. "What is the objective of crowd segregation? Does this mean there will soon be segregation at any gathering including weddings? This is not the vision of the country or the PM."

**Razlan, who is attending Irish pop-rock band The Script's concert today with his wife and child, questioned whether this meant he would have to sit apart from them.** He challenged Jakim to enforce the guidelines at the concert.

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"I wouldn't go to a concert if I had to be separated from my wife. A concert is a shared experience," Malaysian Association of Creative Artistes president Datuk Freddie Fernandez said

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He said the revision of the guidelines by Jakim was a knee-jerk reaction following the incident of fans hugging a Korean artiste.

"I don't think if a boy and a girl go to a concert, it will damage their morals. I don't think the girls who hugged the Korean artiste had their morals damaged. As long as the acts are clean, the lyrics are fine, I don't see how concerts can be a negative influence," he said.

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Fernandez also said if Jakim's guidelines were implemented, it would damage not only the entertainment industry, but also the tourism industry, Malay Mail Online reported

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"Tourism is an important sector in terms of the economy. Concerts are a big source of attracting tourists and creating a friendly image of Malaysia," he said. "We respect Jakim's right to make these rules, but we have to take into account the multiracial nature of this country."

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Meanwhile, netizens took to Twitter to voice against the guidelines:

Comment to let us know what do you think of Jakim's guidelines

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