YOURSAY ‘With situations like the Bible Society raid, everybody is on tenterhooks.’

Firm: 'Tudung' singer was unsuitable replacement

Anonymous 3e21: The issue here is very clear. Singer Marinatasha Isnariah Mustapar was deemed unsuitable by the top management of property developer Castmet Sdn Bhd because she was wearing a tudung. This fact is very clear as both parties have admitted it. Now the question, why was a tudung singer discriminated here?

Yuna is now performing all over the USA while wearing a tudung and guess what, I am sure she mingles with the guests and alcohol must also be freely available. I think companies like Castmet should know better and not try to defend the indefensible and along it, reveal their true colours.

My advise to Marinatasha is to fight on, no matter what, as this is all about pride and since you have made a police report, let the police investigate.

Aries46: Among the many facets to a company's annual dinner, there are those with plenty of merrymaking, boisterous and some even with alcohol consumption. Everyone socialises on a first name basis, free from the inhibitions and pressures of the hierarchical office atmosphere.

It is the organiser's discretion as to who is best suited to entertain on such an occasion. Marinatasha must appreciate that and also view it from the disciplines of her own culture that she adheres to.

Louis: Is Malay rights group Perkasa going to ask the manager to apologise? If Shila Amzah, wearing a tudung, can be judged champion in China in the Asian Wave 2012 singing contest, how come our very own Malaysians cannot accept Marinatasha wearing a tudung? Shame! Shame! Shame!

Swipenter: If you are good, you are good, "tudung" or "no tudung".

I can recall the late and very talented Sudirman Arshad performing and singing with all kinds of headgear and stage costumes. We all would be clapping our hands and cheering him and his performance from start to finish. His stage personality and voice was one of a kind.

Greenie: In America, there is no Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) to come and fine the event manager for allowing a covered Muslim to perform pop songs, but with such situations like the Bible Society raid , everybody is on tenterhooks.

Kawak: Everything in Malaysia nowadays is perceived with a "racial or religious" spectacles. Even the kangkung vegetable has raised racial sentiments. Who had brainwashed them to come to this conditioning?

Wg321: I think this unfortunate incident is the fault of the entertainment provider. If the company wants a chicken to sing in order to suit the occasion, why bring a duck instead?

Toonarmy: 1) If the company did not discriminate against her because she wears a tudung, then there is no issue. 2) If ex-Akademi Fantasia winner Farina is the better singer, then Farina should get the job. 3) If Marinatasha was not telling the truth, she has done a great disservice to herself and her singing career.

Blackmoon: This is total discrimination. I bet the company manager would not have stopped the tudung clad singer if she was Siti Nurhaliza.

JustAMalaysian: I go to a restaurant. The captain recommends steamed fish and I say "No". I tell him I want chicken. And suddenly I am accused of discriminating against fish. I am a paying customer and I have my right to choose what I eat. The same here.

The company pays for the entertainment and has every right to choose the type of singer/entertainment it wants. The singer got her fee and should let it end there. Instead, she called for a press conference.

My goodness! Why must everything be turned into a religious issue when there is none? How shameless of this singer.

Anonymous #59082512: A religious tag is put on everything these days. Black becomes white, white becomes black and Malaysians are becoming a confused lot heading nowhere.

Sleepy: Religious discrimination, as I know it as a layman, is when a someone is prevented from singing because of her religion. So the claim is: she is a good singer, she is a religious person by virtue of her 'tudung' and was prevented from singing at a function. Apparently, it was not just a non-Muslim who was insulted.

Myop101: Whatever it is, wearing a tudung should not be viewed as a hindrance to performing on stage. From the way I read the haphazardly given reply, the company is clearly trying to cover up its act.

Apapunboleh: If this sourpuss didn't get the job to sing, too bad. The company was just respecting her religion, which indicated by her wearing a tudung, is Islam. Isn't this sensitive enough to the company? If the company gave a go ahead, there will be hundreds of police reports against them.

Anon1: We were not there. We were not present during the negotiations. So let's keep on speculating and cast our judgment!

Wira: Marinatasha, from the report it appears you are not suitable to sing at the function. Please accept it. The one who engages the service of an entertainer knows what he wants. He does not even have to give you an answer why you were rejected.

After all, you were still paid according to the contract, even for non-performance. In the entertainment business, no one will want your service in future if you persist to make a mountain out of a molehill.

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