MY govt to unveil new guidelines for foreign acts covering 'all sensitivities'

The Malaysian government plans to release new guidelines this year for international acts performing in the country. The new guidelines will reportedly consider "all sensitivities of the Malaysian public", The Star said quoting Communications and Multimedia Ministry secretary-general Mohammad Mentek. The guidelines are currently being finalised by the committee under the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal), which is under MCMC.

Currently, all concerts in the country featuring foreign acts must follow the guidelines set by Puspal, which include conditions for organisers as well as a code of ethics for performers. This also concerns how they dress and behave on stage, The Star reported. Mohammad explained that the ministry has been working on the refreshed guidelines since 2019 to ensure they are more relevant to the current industry's requirements to remain up to date with current trends and situations.

A new system will also be introduced by the end of 2023 to better facilitate the application process for permits required by performances for international acts as well as filming by foreign crews. At the same time, The Star reported that MCMC is helping to promote Malaysia as a filming and concert destination of choice by creating an application guidebook which will be distributed globally.

The concern over international acts came under the spotlight in August when PAS Youth called for the government to cancel all upcoming concerts with foreign acts, alleging that such acts "encourage hedonism", The Star reported. PAS Youth threatened to hold protests if the acts were not cancelled.