Bare midriffs too much for PAS politicians

The Father's Day's event in a Johor mall featuring belly dancers in skimpy clothes has been criticised by an Islamic political party.

The Johor commissioner for Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) described the performance by foreign women in Segamat as "dirty dancing", adding that it was inappropriate in a mall as there were Muslim shoppers and children.

Dr Mahfodz Mohamed argued that such dances should only be held behind closed doors and urged the authorities to act against the mall and event organisers.

He was responding to comments by Segamat PAS chairman Firdaus Masod, who had expressed regret over the performance last Saturday night.

Mr Firdaus told Malay newspaper Sinar Harian that the event had caused distress among retailers because of the performers' midriff-baring outfits and the loud music.

Semi-naked desert dance

He was also quoted by the party's news portal Harakahdaily as saying that the "semi-naked desert dance" was inconsiderate of local culture.

Johor Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Abd Mutalip Abd Rahim slammed Mr Firdaus, saying that though the PAS official knew about the event beforehand, he did not to inform the relevant authorities.

"PAS can show it is sincere about eradicating vice by coming forward to inform the authorities rather than going to the media to highlight issues," he said.

"Stamping out vice is the responsibility of all Muslims, regardless of their gender and political belief," he said, adding that the performance was advertised in a few Chinese newspapers and targeted at non-Muslims.

Mr Abd Mutalip added that the Johor Islamic Affairs Department had asked the Segamat district council to look into the dance at the mall.

The department would investigate how the performance, which was watched by about 500, was allowed to go on in a public place.

Tipped off

He added that the department has been tipped off about another event to be held in Segamat this week, but did not elaborate.

In response, Segamat Malaysian Chinese Association chief Lee Hong Tee said that the ruckus showed that the PAS would implement "ultra-conservative" and "backward" theocratic policies in Johor had the opposition Pakatan Rakyat alliance clinched the state in last month's general election.

He said: "Belly dancing is a healthy activity and theatrical performance.

"Since PAS considers belly dancing as having gone against what it deems Malaysian norms, this shows it cannot tolerate any form of healthy artistic performance."

Dr Lee added that had Pakatan taken over Johor and placed a PAS leader in charge, such "anti-commercial" policies would have turned "economically-successful Johor into the next Kelantan".

- The New Paper