KUCHING: The state government has its own set of guidelines for foreign artists performing in Sarawak and they do not necessarily have to adhere to the stricter guidelines, said the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts.
Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this when asked by reporters regarding the guidelines introduced by Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil recently.
However, Abdul Karim noted that while Sarawak has some autonomy in this regard, all concerts, whether by local or foreign performers, must be properly regulated.
“Foreign artists must follow certain rules, and we do not want to see foreign artists performing naked on stage.
“We previously had two foreign artists who came to perform in Kuching, Dj Alan Walker and Dj Soda last year, who would not have been allowed to perform in other states in Malaysia for the way they dressed and performed on stage,” he said
He believed this reflected the autonomy that Sarawak has in making its own decisions.
Fahmi announced previously on March 15 the updated guidelines for foreign artists performing in Malaysia, which included stricter rules to protect local sensitivities.
The guidelines specified that male foreign artists are not allowed to cross-dress and that both male and female foreign acts are not allowed to remove any clothing during their performance.
Additionally, 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.
