PETALING JAYA: Event organisers have been told to abide by entertainment guidelines issued by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), after public outcry over a viral video of South Korean K-pop band B1A4 members hugging and kissing tudung-clad female fans during a recent concert.
Its director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha said the incident had "shamed Malaysia and the Muslim community" and urged concert organisers to weigh both the positive and negative implications before organising an event.
Jakim had issued an Islamic guideline on entertainment in 2007 to be referenced by event organisers and agencies before conducting their programmes.
Othman said Jakim had not been informed of this concert and had no knowledge of it.
He also questioned if the organisers were diligent in following these guidelines.
"The concert organiser must bear responsibility and not indemnify themselves.
"Any event that contravenes Islamic morals and the cultural decencies of Malaysians should not be allowed to take place," Othman said in a statement on Monday.
He said the Federal Territory Religious Department (Jawi) had been instructed to take necessary action as the concert was held in Kuala Lumpur.
He said that Jakim was ready to cooperate with the Foreign Artists' Film Screening and Performance central agency (Puspal) when it summons the concert organiser to explain the incident.
Othman also advised the younger generation preserve their self-respect and not allow themselves to be taken advantage of by their idols.
"There is no such thing as personal right or freedom in doing something that violates Islamic principles.
They should have a sense of shame, and covering themselves with the proper attire is a way to hide that shame," he added.
A three-minute video clip of the South Korean band's members hugging and kissing female Malay fans on stage went viral on social media on Sunday, prompting criticism from Internet users.
The concert organiser, TGM events, has since apologised for the incident and said in a statement that the female fans had gone on stage willingly.
The company also said it had never nor would it ever condone any form of sexual harassment or molestation during its events.
