Jakim says new concert rules only a reminder, not law

PUTRAJAYA: The new set of guidelines for the entertainment industry is merely a reminder following ‘improvements’ to the old one in 2007, said Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha.
 
"The objective of the new guidelines is to educate the entertainment industry.

"There is no enforcement, it is voluntarily for them (the entertainment industry),” he told reporters after attending National Fatwa Council Special Conference here.

He added that the guidelines were meant for the entire industry, not merely for live concerts and international performances.

Othman said the guidelines were not lawful in nature but with improvements after taking the views of stakeholders on recent developments in the industry.

He said it was up to the respective states to decide on how best to implementation the guidelines.

Othman denied that the guidelines come in the wake of the decision by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry to blacklist organisers of the controversial concert by a male South Korean pop band members over the hugging and kissing female Malay fans on stage.

Jakim's new guidelines include the segregation of males and females during concerts.