KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 — A management firm representing Korean pop band B1A4 has denied claims that its artistes “molested” three tudung-clad Malay girls during a recent mini-concert, saying the fans had consented to being hugged and kissed on stage.
Korean entertainment website Koreaboo quoted WM Entertainment as saying that the artistes as well as the event in question had been mindful of local Muslim sensitivities, and that the acts in question only took place “after consent from those who participated.”
“The video in question was from the fan-meet’s special corner ‘imitating famous moments in K-Dramas.’
“The atmosphere during the event was great and the MC asked the girls once more for their consent, being considerate of their Muslim culture,” the management company in an official statement quoted on the site.
WM Entertainment added, however, that it would now take “careful consideration” of all cultural differences in future events involving B1A4.
The controversy erupted after a video of the meet-the-fans session here for B14A on Saturday was uploaded online, prompting thousands of angry Facebook users to share and comment on a three-minute viral video of the artistes hugging and embracing the Malay girls on stage.
The clip, which was posted on the Sukan Star TV Facebook page, was suggestively titled “Perempuan melayu dicabul atas pentas oleh mat kpop semalam” (Malay girls molested on stage by K-Pop artists last night).
Organisers TGM Events have denied claims that the band members had molested three tudung-clad Malay fans on stage last Saturday, saying that they were against sexual harassment and that the event company was run mostly by women.
The Federal Territories Islamic Department (JAWI) is now pursuing the Malay girls shown in the video for public indecency and outraging Muslims, saying today it will apply for their arrests if they refuse to cooperate with its investigation.
JAWI said the girls have one week to come forward.
The Islamic authority yesterday said it would investigate the matter under Section 29 of Shariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997.
Section 29 of the Act allows for a fine of up to RM1,000 and imprisonment of no more than six months upon conviction.
