New entertainment guidelines

Yesterday, on the front page of a local newspaper, the Malaysian govenrment has annouced guidelines for concerts and such. Foreign acts performing in the country have to abide by the rules set by the authorities. To avoid any ambiguity, the Central Agency for the Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artiste (Puspal) has spelled out the do's and don't's in no uncertain terms. I strongly believe that these rules are unrealistic and archaic, and I recommend the Government to chill out!

All this has come about mainly to the recent Pussycat Dolls concert. The Pussycat Dolls stopped by and put the 'Don't Cha' wish-you-can-pull-my-pants-off show. Many felt that their show was all too porno-ish. Newsflash! to all you ignorant Malaysians, porno is so easy to come by these days. Just type 'tits' or 'nude' in Google and instantly you are barraged with images of lust. The key here is 'you must type', meaning it is a choice. Similarly it is a choice to buy the tickets to go see the concert. If you are fan, then you know what the show is gonna be like. You've seen the CD cover and I'm sure you've seen the MTV video. So? why the sudden shock when they replicate the show for you live? What? Must they wear unflattering 'Jedi' robes and stand still and sing? Come on.

Just read this and you tell me, what the hell...

THE guidelines from Puspal or the Central Agency for the Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artiste state that once a show is approved, foreign artistes are strongly prohibited from:

* Behaving improperly, such as jumping about, shouting or throwing things on stage or towards the audience;

* Acting or saying things with sexual innuendos, or in their dance moves; hugging or kissing the audience or fellow artistes;

* Saying or doing things which can be interpreted as an act of attracting attention to or idolising a particular society or religion that can affect the political situation and stability of the country; and

* Performing in the nude or stripping while performing.

On dress codes, foreign artistes have to observe the following:

* A female artiste must cover herself from the top of her breast to the knee;

* A male artiste must cover himself from the chest to the knee; and

* A female artiste performing belly dancing must cover her abdomen with at least a ‘net’ type of material with designs.

If there is anyone to blame, it should be the idiot or idiots that issue the permits for concerts in the first place. A friend of mine in the event management business said that it takes about a month for a concert permit to be issued because it must have six signatures. That's six idiots that have been living in a cave or playing golf on an island for last 5 years, to not know who The Pussycat Dolls are. They must have thought it was an application for a porcelain feline toys exibition. Ignorant fools. Again, we live in a world with the Internet, if you don't know something, open a browser and do a search. The short skirts will be an indication that The Pussycat Dolls may not be suitable for Malaysia. As always, only after ignorant public outcry do the authorites act.

I know we are a Muslim nation but, the most of the acts are not. Mariah ain't gonna wear a 'hijab' on her head. Nor can we force her. For tolerence sake, for multiracialism sake, please la, have the common sense. If it offends you then don't expose yourself to it or don't approve the permit. Thats what censorship ratings at movies are for. For you to make and informed decision. Rated 'R' means the movie has got things that might offend and is not suitable for children. So dont watch the movie because it WILL offend you. SO................... DONT SEE IT. I say have a censorship rating for concerts and shows as well, then inform the public what they are about to see.

IT.... SHOULD BE...... A..... CHOICE.

For crying out loud, bitch!