Cops: No half-naked dance on Pulau Perhentian recently

PETALING JAYA: A viral video of a half-naked dancer performing on a beach did not take place on Pulau Perhentian recently, local authorities in Besut, Terengganu, clarified.

Besut OCPD Supt Zamri Mohd Rowi said the video had actually been recorded in 2017 and had been reposted by a dissatisfied business owner who was not allowed to open a massage parlour on the island.

"We learned that other businesses and even locals were opposed to it, so the business owner was unsuccessful," he said.

Supt Zamri said the uploader, who only went by the name "Nur Amalina", had intended to shame local authorities, including the Besut District Council, because she was not given a business permit.

He further clarified that the dancer in the video was a local transvestite who had started dancing on the beach under the influence of alcohol.

"The dancer was not a performer hired for any show or festival organised on the island. In fact, none of the resorts on the island hosted any parties when this dance supposedly took place," he said.

He said police will continue to carry out checks on the island for illegal events and alcohol.

On Aug 2, it was reported that the police and the Terengganu Religious Affairs Department (JHEAT) were called in to investigate the alleged dance fiesta on the island, after the video went viral.

State Tourism, Culture and Information Technology committee chairman Ariffin Deraman said action could be taken on the supposed host, said to be an owner of a chalet on the island, if the allegations were found to be true.

It is learned that the video had attracted much online attraction since July 28.