MALAYSIA: Minister queries ban on some songs

Malaysia's Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister has warned all parties - especially TV and radio stations - against barring specific music pieces, songs, films or plays too freely

The Straits Times
Wednesday, April 21, 2004

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister has warned all parties - especially TV and radio stations - against barring specific music pieces, songs, films or plays too freely.

Datuk Seri Rais Yatim, a lawyer by training, said it was unclear whether there was a legal right to take such steps, reported Malaysia's Berita Harian yesterday.

If hasty action is taken, 'I fear that what influences it is not legal right but political considerations', he was quoted as saying.

Datuk Seri Rais said he would discuss the matter with Information Minister Paduka Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir.

On March 8, the panel that vets songs for broadcast on official broadcaster RTM had rejected Anita Sarawak's latest songs, Diva and Seksis, for not using Malay correctly.

Deputy Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Nordin, in yesterday's New Straits Times, explained that mistranslating English words into Malay would lead to a ban.

He gave the example of how 'standing ovation' had been translated into ovasi berdiri in Diva. 'The correct translation is penghormatan berdiri,' he said.

He added: 'Producers can correct the wrong terminology and we will then broadcast the songs.'

Date Posted: 4/21/2004