A PAS Youth leader has called on the government to ban next month's concert by Elton John, saying today that the gay singer promotes "hedonism".

Shahril Azman Abdul Halim Al-Hafiz, an official with the party, said the concert at the Genting Highlands resort on Nov 22 would corrupt young Muslims because of John's homosexuality.

"It's not good. In Islam homosexuality is forbidden," he told AFP. "What he is doing is hedonism. Hedonism is not good in Islam."

NONE The British singer is openly gay, marrying his partner in 2005 after same-sex unions were legalised in Britain.

Shahril is the chairperson of the PAS youth wing of Pahang. The casino resort lies on the border of the state, about an hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur.

An official from concert promoter Tune Live declined to comment.

But the show, part of John's 'Greatest Hits Tour', is expected to go ahead in the resort. John will be singing in Singapore before he comes to Malaysia and then go on to Jakarta.

PAS often protests concert by Western acts, saying the artists promote a promiscuous lifestyle and corrupt youngsters' minds.

But despite protest threats, most concerts have gone ahead without incidents though performers had to abide by strict rules, barring them from bearing too much skin and kissing on stage.

- AFP

Related stories

Ridhuan Tee: Hudud has to be implemented 'by force'

Syariah law too weak to prevent apostasy

NGO: Porno politics not the Malay way

Hasan used by Himpun to embarrass PAS

DPM, what if somebody accused your son?