Report: Stricter rules for foreign artistes performing in Malaysia to protect local sensitivities, says Fahmi
KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 — Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil has said that the government has introduced stricter guidelines for foreign artistes performing in Malaysia to protect local sensitivities.
He added that the Communications and Digital Ministry had consulted all communities, including Muslims and non-Muslims, when drafting the updated guidelines.
“At the same time, the guidelines were also amended after receiving feedback from industry players.
“We agreed to make the guidelines more clearly spelt out so that they can be easily understood,” he was quoted as saying by The Star in a report published today.
The updated guidelines were made available on the website of the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal) on December 31 last year.
Under the new rules for concerts and ‘live’ shows, for example, male foreign artistes are not allowed to “cross dress” when performing in Malaysia.
“Malaysia does not discriminate against any international act from coming here,” Fahmi said.
“But foreign artistes will have to follow the code of conduct and dress code in the guidelines when they perform on stage in Malaysia.”
The updated guidelines have also specified that both male and female foreign acts are not allowed to remove any clothing during their performance.
Another rule stipulates that large-scale concerts and ‘live’ performances by international acts cannot take place on the night before an Islamic public holiday and on the day itself unless allowed by the respective Islamic authorities.
This encompasses the entire month of Ramadan, Awal Muharram, Maulidur Rasul, Isra’ Mikraj, Nisfu Sya’ban, Nuzul Al-Quran, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidiladha.
Previously, there were no restrictions on foreign artiste performances on the eve of Islamic public holidays, nor were specific examples cited, apart from the fasting month of Ramadan.
The new guidelines also reduced the ‘blackout dates’ for shows during Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebrations.
Before this, concerts by foreign artistes could not be held throughout the independence month from August 25 to September 16.
The revised guidelines now state that large-scale shows cannot be held on August 30 and 31 and September 15 and 16.
In the same report, Fahmi also said there would be continued engagement with stakeholders and a second round of updates will be rolled out at a later date.
“It should be ready by December this year, to be enforced in 2024.
“Among our suggestions are to improve the level of concerts and ‘live’ performances for the audience.
“We want to spell out a set of standards on what industry players can do to ensure a good experience for concert-goers and spectators such as by having clean and sufficient toilets, proper seating and facilities,” he said.
“Malaysia is planning to attract more international stars to hold their shows here, and such measures will be introduced later.”
Aside from ‘live’ performances, the guidelines also govern foreign film crews that are recording content in Malaysia.
One of the new criteria for filming is that the script of such content must not negatively depict any security or enforcement agency in Malaysia such as the police or military forces.
The script must also be reviewed by Puspal for approval before filming can proceed.
