Fake: Cops on list of songs 'barred' from Indian pubs

Perak police have dismissed a list purportedly showing “gang-related” Tamil songs barred from being played in Indian clubs in the state.

State police chief Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said the list circulating on social media is fake.

“The list is not true and is a fake. We are investigating (who spread the list),” he told Malaysiakini via WhatsApp.

The list, which bore the Royal Malaysia Police's emblem, had almost 20 Indian songs, including some from Kollywood (Tamil movie industry) and local Indian artists which are perceived as being related to “criminal elements” and “gangsterism”.

According to the fake list, the songs are linked to local triads and, as such, should be avoided from being played at Indian pubs.

A couple of songs from superstar Rajinikanth's cult movie ‘Baasha’ and some love songs with no ties to criminal elements or gangsterism are also on the list.

“If the premises are found to be playing these songs, their operating licences can be revoked and action will be taken against the owner and visitors of the premises when a raid is conducted,” read the disclaimer on the fake list, which was attributed to the Perak police headquarters' D7 (Anti-Vice, Gambling, and Secret Societies) division.