Jakim confirms ‘advice’ to move Indian singer’s showtime due to Islamic new year

Jakim says it has advised the agency tasked with approving concerts by foreign artistes to move its Aug 31 showtime. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Federal Islamic authority Jakim today confirmed that it had advised a government agency dealing with foreign artistes to move a concert featuring a south Indian singer so that it would not take place on the same day as the Awal Muharram public holiday this weekend.

Jakim, or the Malaysian Islamic Development Department, said it had merely given its views when it suggested to the Central Agencies Committee for Applications for Filming and Performances by Foreign Artistes (Puspal) that the concert be brought forward.

“As an agency responsible for Islamic matters in the country, Jakim gave its view that as the date was an important date in Islam, it would be appropriate if concerts held during that time be moved to a different date or time,” the department said today.

Raaghav Productions, which is organising the concert featuring Indian singer SP Balasubrahmanyam, had earlier sold tickets for the Aug 31 evening show, but Puspal refused to issue a permit unless organisers agreed to change the date.

Following an appeal, it is understood that the concert will now proceed after organisers agreed to bring the event forward by four hours, to 3pm.

Puspal, which comes under the communications and multimedia ministry headed by Gobind Singh Deo, had cited Jakim’s view that the timing of the concert should be changed as it coincided with Awal Muharram.

The new Islamic lunar calendar begins at sunset on Aug 31.

Jakim said it had no power to withhold permits for concerts.

“Jakim’s view serves only as a guide to the Puspal committee which has absolute power to give its approval or otherwise.” - FMT