Terengganu guidelines to bar women singing for male audience in force soon

An entertainment guideline that will, among others, bar women entertainers from performing for audiences that have men among them will soon be enforced in Terengganu.

Terengganu exco in charge of tourism, culture, and information technology Ariffin Deraman was quoted by The Star as saying that the guidelines were supposed to come into force in January but was postponed.

However, he assured that it will come into force "soon" once legal technicalities are resolved.

The 11-point guideline was announced in October 2018.

Ariffin also maintained that the guidelines won't hurt tourism.

The guideline is as follows:

1. Stage performance can only involve male singers and dancers.
2. Performance for women singers and dancers can only be presented to women at a closed venue.
3. Excessive (melampau) mingling between men and women on stage is not allowed.
4. Mixing of male and female on stage is only allowed for children performances.
5. The performed music cannot contain lyrics that are excessive or distracting (melalaikan).
6. The music or entertainment performance cannot be accompanied by excessive music instruments that can influence the audience to flow to the beat of the music.
7. Music performance is allowed after Isyak prayer and before 12am.
8. Daytime performances cannot exceed prayer time.
9. No performance is allowed on Thursday night and until after Friday prayers.
10. The audience must be mindful of their behaviour and ensure clothing is neat and covers their aurat (modesty) during the performance.
11. Organisers must ensure male and female audience who are not mahram (a relationship that does not forbid them from marrying) cannot mix with each other. - Mkini