The singer who claimed she was forced off stage for wearing a tudung (headscarf) has refuted the explanation by Castmet Sdn Bhd that it did so in order not to stir religious sensitivities.

In a statement, Marinatasha Isnariah Mustapar also denied claims that she was not the contracted singer for the night, adding that there was actually no contract for the event on Jan 18.

She also denied that the performers were contracted to sing and dance with the audience as claimed by Castmet, pointing out that the person who replaced her did no such thing.

"I appreciate their reply that they were trying to be religiously sensitive but was forcing me off stage and humilating me part of this sensitivity?

"Why was I not informed of these reasons on the day of the incident and why are all these excuses only raised after the press conference with (Malaysian Artistes Association) Karyawan?

"I feel that the excuses are only to distract the media from the main issue... (that) they would have allowed me to perform if I was not wearing a tudung," she said.

The singer, who has 12 years experience in the industry, added that whether or not Castmet treats its workers fairly has no bearing on what had happened during the annual dinner event.

However, she also stressed that is not the company which is at fault but financial officer Shannon Yong, who had ordered her off stage because she wore a tudung.

"This is discrimination by any measure," she said.  

Many Muslim guests were present

Below are her responses on the issues raised by Castmet:

1) That it was unsuitable for a Muslim wearing a tudung to perform at an event serving alcohol.

"This was not raised in the police report lodged by Yong and I myself did not notice that  alcohol was served as more than half of the guests were Muslims.

"If they are so sensitive about religion, did they not realise that Castmet's chairperson Mohd Anuar Mohd Nor and many other guests were also Muslims, many whom wore the tudung or kopiah (skullcap)," she said.

2) That the performer was required to dance with the audience.

"When I chose to don the tudung two years ago, I also adjusted my performances to match my new image. I have also rejected job offers which were unsuitable to my image.

"When Farina (the singer Castmet claimed it had actually hired and who replaced Marinatasha) performed, she too did not dance with the guests as Castmet claimed was required.

"In my opinion, the event was no different than other corporate evens I have handled," she said.

3) That she is not the contracted singer.

"There was no written contract and that the band Rufus was chosen because this band usually performs at Cafe Daud, which is next to Castmet's office in Plaza Damas.

"I was hired as Rufus' lead singer and there was no black and white contract as claimed, including a request for a singer who is not wearing a tudung or an artist from Akedemi Fantasia.

"The invoice showed to me (by Castmet after the Karyawan press conference) also names the band, and no other names were mentioned except that of emcee Amber Wong...

"Farina herself told me that she was only contacted on the day of the event a few hours before it started, and upon learning what had happened, spontaneously invited me on stage to sing with her,” she said.

4) That Castmet was told she was actually a stand in during rehearsals.

"Am I that stupid that I would accept a gig to sing for rehearsals but not the actual event? Why did no one from Castmet inform me (that I was unsuitable) before the incident happened?” she asked.

The incident involving Marinatasha is the third reported incident of discrimination against women wearing the tudung in the past few months.

Last year, a graduate created a furore when she posted online about being rejected from jobs at retail outlets at Suria KLCC for wearing a tudung.

Last month, the headmistress at a vernacular school in Johor and a member of the school management board apologised to a Muslim teacher after she was told to remove her tudung to teach there.