PETALING JAYA: Disgruntled groups and authorities should show proof of the offensive nature of heavy metal band Lamb of God and other music groups before action to ban their performances is taken, said former Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin.
"The people raising the objections should provide proof, such as lyrics, to show that the musical acts are truly objectionable and will negatively impact our society and culture," Asri told The Star Online.
Asri, who said he was not familiar with the music of Lamb of God, said the government should take into account legitimate complaints and act accordingly.
If Lamb of God had been insulting religions "from all sides" and the Malaysian culture, then of course a ban was acceptable, he added.
"We must have standards - who is allowed, who isn't. Quarters are allowed to bantah (object) but they must be able to explain why, show why the act in question is dangerous.
"The government should not ban a band just because a few groups are making noise. If not, nobody can perform in Malaysia!," he said.
Christian and Islamic groups in Malaysia have called for the Lamb of God concert, scheduled for Sept 28, to be banned.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom has added his voice to the furore, asking that authorities immediately ban the concert.
He claimed that many NGOs as well as Jakim had demanded the concert be banned, and the American band could cause "untold harm and moral decadence" among young people.
Asri said such "ban culture" made it hard to develop ideas in Malaysia, and that it was "not fair" for a musical act to be banned just because of the differing opinions of some Malaysians.
"A performance can be banned if proven to be unsuitable but not just because you don't like it!" he added.
Last Updated on Monday, 02 September 2013 17:53
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