Pussycat Dolls Indecent In Malaysia

A local government body in Malaysia fined the organizers of a sold-out July Pussycat Dolls concert 10,000 ringgit (US$2,714) for violating decency guidelines enacted last year.

According to Culture and Arts Minister Rais Yatim, organizer Absolute Entertainment was punished because of the Dolls’ “scantily dressed performances and sensuous elements.”

A senior official at the ministry added, “We have to have guidelines. We have enforcement officers that will check acts and report to the relevant authorities for action.”

The public performance guidelines prohibit jumping, shouting or throwing objects on stage or at the audience; hugging or kissing the audience or fellow artists; “unnecessary” baring of skin – female artists must be covered from the tops of their chests to their knees – and obscene or drug-related messages or images on clothing.

Sponsors are required to sign a document accepting the guidelines before an artist is allowed into Malaysia.

Other foreign acts have been warned in the past. Linkin Park was cautioned not to wear shorts or exhibit raunchy behavior before a concert in 2003, and Mariah Carey was told to “dress accordingly” for her concert.

– Philip Brasor