New Kelantan entertainment bill won’t affect non-Muslims, says exco rep
“But if they are held in public places, men and women must be separated.”
(NST) – The Pas-led state government said the Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Control Bill 2024 will not affect non-Muslims.
State Local Government, Housing, Health, and Environment Committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah said there would be a consideration in the issuance of permits to non-Muslim entertainlment organisers.
Under the bill, which is expected to come into force next year, the state government would impose special conditions when issuing permits to non-Muslim organisers, said Hilmi.
He said this included those who planned to organise events like Hungry Ghost Festival and birthday parties.
“Non-Muslims need not worry about the bill as it won’t affect their cultural and religious sensitivities.
“For example, if they want to organise the Hungry Ghost Festival, they need to apply for a permit only if they invite a singer.
“If the events are held behind closed doors, the audiences can be mixed.
“But if they are held in public places, men and women must be separated.”
Those who organised birthday parties privately could have mixed crowds, said Hilmi.
“But if the birthday parties are held in hotels or open places, female singers are allowed to entertain only female audiences and male singers can entertain only male audiences.”
Kelantan on Thursday approved the Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Control Bill 2024, which includes increasing fines up to RM50,000 for offences, such as unrestricted mingling and socialising between men and women.
The bill aims to improve the Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Control Enactment (Entertainment Enactment 1998), which has been in effect since 1999.
Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said other changes included prohibiting entertainment activities containing, promoting or including elements contrary to ethics, manners and morals.
These included supporting or normalising lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) behaviour, disrupting racial harmony and unity, and insulting religion, he added.
