Korean deejay disrespectful for dressing up as monk, says Dr Wee

PETALING JAYA: The MCA president has chided a Korean deejay for his recent performance in a Kuala Lumpur dance club while dressed as a monk.

Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said that DJ NewJeansNim has angered the Buddhist community in Malaysia when he "disguised" himself as a Buddhist monk and performed at the club, which gave a wrong perception of Buddhist values and teachings.

"I agree with the Young Buddhist Association Malaysia (YBAM) and Fo Guang Shan Malaysia which have called for action to be taken by the authorities to ban a DJ from Korea from performing again at a dance club in Kuala Lumpur," he said in a statement.

The DJ had performed at the dance club on May 3 and was seen wearing a monk robe and using Buddhist prayer items during his performance in a viral video.

"His controversial acts have hurt the feelings of the Buddhist community, which will celebrate Wesak Day in two weeks’ time," said the Ayer Hitam MP, adding that the DJ was expected to perform in Malaysia again on May 21 - a day before Wesak Day.

"I appeal to the Home Affairs Minister to instruct the Immigration Department, the police and the Puspal secretariat to prevent the entry of the DJ into Malaysia in order to respect the sanctity of Buddhism and preserve religious harmony in Malaysia."

"If the DJ did not disguise as a Buddhist monk during his performance and incite religious sensitivity and cause unnecessary controversy, the Buddhist community will not have any intention to block the performance of any artists," Dr Wee added.

YBAM was reported saying that it has received complaints from devotees who believed that the DJ had "harmed and disrespected" the Buddhist way of life with his performance.