Malaysian Islamist-ruled state bans rock, reggae and pop concerts

Aug 29, 2008, 3:05 GMT

Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia's opposition-ruled northern state of Kedah has imposed a ban on concerts featuring rock, reggae, pop and Indonesian 'dangdut' music, saying such shows would negatively influence youth, a news report said Friday.

'We do not condone any (gyrating movements) on stage,' state councillor Ismail Salleh was quoted as telling the Star daily.

'We are currently formulating a comprehensive guideline for concerts.

'Until then, concerts of such nature are banned,' he said.

Dangdut, which is extremely popular among locals here, is a genre of Indonesian popular music that incorporates Arabic, Indian, and Malay folk music with fast-moving dancing.

During recent March 8 general elections, Malaysia's three-party opposition alliance took control of Kedah along with four other states.

The hardline Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), which had won the most number of state seats, has begun to enforce strict guidelines on anything from civil servants' dress codes to outdoor entertainment and concerts.

Ismail said concerts with religious Islamic recitals and patriotic songs would still be allowed, adding that the state government was not opposed to entertainment.

'We just do not want to allow the type of entertainment that could negatively influence people,' he said.

Last month, PAS' youth wing had called for the government to ban a concert by Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne, saying the young performer's punk-rock music was unsuitable for locals.

The government, which followed suit by announcing that her concert would be cancelled, retracted the ban last week.

Lavigne is scheduled to perform in the capital Kuala Lumpur on Friday.