KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 — The organisers of the January Korean pop concert featuring boy band B1A4 were blacklisted following public backlash over a video of the members embracing three Malay girls onstage, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek confirmed today.
The Communications and Multimedia minister said concert organisers TGM Events had breached “rules” and guidelines, but did not specify the violations.
“During the K-Pop concert (fan meeting B1A4) on January 10, 2015 at KL Live, the event organisers were blacklisted for violating specific rules,” Shabery said in a written reply to PAS Rantau MP Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff.
The minister did not elaborate on the consequences of the blacklist on TGM events.
In January, controversy erupted after a video showing three Malay girls embracing K-pop band B1A4 was uploaded online.
This prompted thousands of angry Facebook users to share and comment on the three-minute viral video of the artists 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).
Following the furore over the online video, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) directed JAWI to take action against those involved.
JAWI subsequently said it will investigate the three Malay girls for public indecency and outraging Muslims, 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.
