Hard Rock Cafe is known for its loud music and beer guzzling bikers the world over. But should it want to operate in Putrajaya, a minister suggests that it offer a more sober Islamic version.

According to Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Hard Rock Cafe Putrajaya should not serve alcohol and have Nasyid (Islamic) groups staging live performances.

The federal territories minister said the government will allow Hard Rock Cafe to open an outlet in the administrative capital if it operates in an Islamic way and does not violate the guidelines set by Putrajaya Corporation.

"We only allow 'clean' entertainment, we don't want indecent and provocative performances," he told a press conference.

He said the the guideline was designed to portray Putrajaya as an administrative centre and Malaysia as an Islamic country.
 
Tengku Adnan also defended Putrajaya Corporation Aseh Che Mat's Facebook posting where the latter announced that Hard Rock Putrajaya was in the offing.
 
"As the head of the Putrajaya Corporation, Aseh was aware of the guidelines but he can't shut the investors off... Putrajaya needs private investment, it can't rely on government investment only," he said.

Hard Rock not keen on Putrajaya

 
He said that his proposal was feasible because the government had allowed the 7-11 convenience store chain to set up shops in Putrajaya, on the condition that they kept alcohol off the shelves, since 2000.
 
Tengku Adnan also blamed the press for using "western" methods of highlighting the issue and blowing it out of proportion.
 
When told that a supermarket in Putrajaya is currently selling alcohol, the minister said that stern action can be taken against the business owners.
 
Meanwhile, Hard Rock International has clarified that the company has no intentions of setting up any new outlets in Malaysia.
 
In a press release on Monday, the company said it has "strict operating procedures to identify and survey a market prior to opening any new outlets, taking into account local culture and market demands."
 
It added that the announcement of any new outlets will come directly from Hard Rock International, and not through a third party.

The company currently has outlets in Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Malacca.