PAS has protested against the government's move to allow popular German rock band Scorpions to hold a concert in Kuala Lumpur next month, saying it would encourage youth's fanaticism towards entertainment and moral degradation.

The veteran rockers are scheduled to perform at Stadium Merdeka on Sept 13. Local band Search will be the guest performer.

In a memorandum to the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry today, PAS Federal Territory Youth chief Riduan Mohamad Nor said Scorpions' planned concert was also disrespectful to Muslims as it coincides with an Islamic religious day, known as Israk Mikraj.

"The ministry's approval to allow the band to perform here is viewed as an insult to Islam and Muslims in this country," he said in the memorandum.

The Youth wing criticised the government for being insensitive in allowing western artists to perform in Malaysia since late last year, of which those performances had coincided with Islamic religious days.

They included US rock group Linkin Park during the Ramadhan (fasting month) last October and pop diva Mariah Carey 's concert during Maulidul Rasul (Prophet's Birthday) in February. PAS was against the two concerts.

"The government is not serious is protecting the sensitivity of Muslims in this country who love their religion," Riduan said.

Moral degradation

The Youth wing claimed that the image of Scorpions - who last held a concert in Malaysia in 1994 - was "indecent and unclean" and that Search was no better.

"Is this the image that is going to be demonstrated in front of our youths?" asked Riduan.

He also questioned whether the approval was in line with the government's pledge to practise Islam Hadhari.

Riduan pointed out that numerous local entertainment programmes lately such as the Sure Heboh concert, Akademi Fantasia, Malaysian Idol, Topstar, Who will win and Audition have contributed to moral degradation among youths.

The Malaysian Council of Muftis early this month viewed that the popular Sure Heboh concert violates Islamic values. The concert was organised by TV3.

Riduan warned that if similar concerts and entertainment shows were allowed to continue, it would not help in the government's efforts to build youths' self-character via the implementation of the national service programme.

Islam is the official religion of Malaysia and Muslims make up more than half of the population of 25 million, which also includes large Buddhist, Christian and Hindu minorities.