'No women dancers in CNY show'

ALOR STAR: The Pas-led Kedah government has threatened to interrupt a stage performance to usher in the Chinese New Year if adult women performers take part in the event.

The warning was relayed to the event organiser, which had drawn up plans to hold the performance in a shopping complex here on Feb 15.

The two-page directive was signed by state Arts and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Dr Hamdan Mohamad Khalib.

The letter, dated Jan 19, also stated that if women performers were needed, only secondary schoolgirls should be engaged.

Those taking part in the performance had also been warned against dressing indecently, while singers could only belt out tunes to the beat of minus-one music.

The five-item guideline also demanded the organiser to submit a list of artistes and their songs prior to the event.

The directive also stated that only songs of religious nature were allowed.
It was also stated in the guideline that the state government reserved the right to stop the event immediately if there was any indecent dancing and singing performances.

The directive, issued despite the opposition bloc's repeated claims of religious and cultural tolerance, had drawn flak from many quarters, including state Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-chairman Tan Chow Kang.

Tan, who is also state Chinese Community Affairs Committee chairman, said it was not right for the state government to impose such guidelines on the Chinese.

Echoing the same sentiment was Kedah Pas Supporters Club chairman Tan Weng Fatt, who described the rule as unfair to non-Muslims.

"The rule on the dress code is acceptable but the ban on adult women performing is just too much.
"I just don't get it. Why impose a ban on adult women and allow secondary schoolgirls to perform?"
State Gerakan chairman Dr Cheah Soon Hai, who revealed the directive, described the guidelines as an unprecedented move by the Pas-led state government.

"I am afraid the state government will impose the same rules on other festive celebrations," said Dr Cheah, who is also Derga assemblyman.

Dr Hamdan could not be reached for comment.

In Ipoh, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the party had received complaints regarding the directive.

Speaking after opening the MCA's 64th anniversary celebration here yesterday, Dr Chua said DAP might not oppose the ruling but MCA viewed it as an infringement of non-Muslim rights.

Expressing surprise that DAP did not raise an alarm over the matter, Dr Chua said the directive should be an eye-opener for the Chinese.