Permit was issued, but no green light for nudity, says Dep Minister on tattoo expo

KUALA LUMPUR: While a permit was issued for the recent tattoo convention to proceed, there was no green light given for any form of nudity at the event, says Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (pic).

“Any form of approval for half-naked parades was never given by the government, and it is quite impossible for the government to approve any applications for events that has elements of nudity, because this is not the culture of Malaysia.”

Muhammad Bakhtiar said this in reply to a question raised by Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib (BN-Maran) during Question Time in Parliament on Monday (Dec 2).

In a statement earlier Monday, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Mohamaddin Ketapi said a probe was ordered into the Malaysia Tattoo Expo 2019, after pictures depicting models in a state of near-undress in the event made its rounds on social media.

Muhammad Bakhtiar said the same tattoo convention had taken place three times in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, in 2015,2016 and 2017.

“No such incident had occurred then, ” he said.

“It does not reflect the full image of Malaysia that is filled with mannerisms and decency, ” he added.

Muhammad said that more information will be revealed by the Ministry once the police have concluded its investigations.

The Malaysia Tattoo Expo 2019, which featured participants from over 35 countries, was held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from Nov 29 to Dec 1.