The Malaysian Islamic Development Department's (Jakim) latest guidelines for concerts, which imposes gender segregation, has been criticised as "unfair" and "lacks effectiveness".

"Forcefully executing stringent controls owing to the harmless K-Pop concert which has been deemed an incident by others lacks effectiveness," MCA vice president Chew Mei Fun said in a statement today.

"Inculcation of moral or polite behaviour may be nurtured via advocacy and education," she said, adding that the latest guidelines did not bode well for the development of Malaysia’s creative and entertainment industry.

Jakim, on the release of the proposed guidelines, had explained that the measure was taken after a three-minute video of a South Korean band’s members hugging and kissing tudung-clad teenage Muslim girls on stage went viral on social media.

Nevertheless, Chew ( left ) believes that Jakim's guidelines will affect the public at large owing to its disapproval of the "seemingly harmless" stage antics during the K-Pop concert.

"Forcing members of the opposite gender to sit separately will reduce interaction and comradeship among people," she said.

Pointing out how there is no ill intent when a person attends a concert, Chew added that concert-goers normally attend with family members, friends or colleagues.

"While we recognise that religious authorities may want to ensure morality among its own adherents, nevertheless, their guidelines or policies must not affect non-Muslims who wish to enjoy a harmless social outing by attending a concert," she said.

Chew also stressed that any public policy which restricted the movements of non-Muslims was unfeasible.

"[...] Malaysians including those in authority must learn to mutually respect each other so that we may highlight our country’s diversity and moderate path, rather than being known as a country constrained with religious rigidity and interference into the public sphere," she said.

Unwise and silly

Meanwhile, concert organisers, entertainers and NGOs are hitting back at Jakim's push for gender segregation at concerts, dubbing the move as "unwise", The Star Online reported.

Soundscape founder Mak Wai Hoo described the guidelines as “silly”, and added that it is like adding salt to the wound.

“You can’t follow all these guidelines for all the shows. As an organiser I see problems, not only for seating arrangements but also ticketing,” he said.

Galaxy Group project director Bonor Seen said the guidelines were unacceptable in a multiracial country.

“With so many more performing arts and cultural events (lined up) in conjunction with the Year of Festivals 2015, these guidelines are at odds with the government’s vision of success.

“What is the objective of segregation? What are they trying to achieve with such rules?” he said.

Sisters in Islam executive director Ratna Osman asked whether families would be separated at concerts.

“These rules will affect not just Muslims, but non-Muslims too,” she said.

Entertainer Irwan Shah Abdullah, popularly known as DJ Dave, said the move was a departure from a moderate Malaysia initiative.

“If you stipulate conditions on things such as concerts, we are moving away from these values,” he said.