The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) today said that its latest guideline for concerts is only aimed at assisting the entertainment industry and does not have enforcement powers.

Jakim director-general Othman Mustapha said the guideline had already been in existence since 2007 and the latest one was only the updated version.

“The main aim of this guideline is so that it can be referred to by artistes, organisers and all those involved in the entertainment industry,” he said in a press conference today.

Othman ( left ) said Jakim had discussed with syariah experts, academicians, representatives from television stations and entertainers in coming up with the updated guideline.

“Some ask, saying that the latest guideline is restrictive. No it’s not, the guideline is merely a revised version (of an existing one),” he said.

Jakim, on the release of the proposed guideline which included gender segregation, had explained that the measure was taken after a three-minute video of a South Korean band’s members hugging and kissing female Malay fans on stage went viral on social media.

Guideline slammed

As a result, several quarters, including concert promoters, entertainers, NGOs and politicians slammed the guideline, saying it is "unwise" and "not feasible" in a multicultural, multireligious country like Malaysia.

Meanwhile, when asked whether Jakim's guideline on entertainment encompasses all types of concerts, Othman said the guideline was general in nature.

"It just acts as a guideline," he said, reiterating that they had no power to enforce.

"We encourage everyone to follow it, but there's no enforcement."

Othman added that it was possible that those who are focused on the issue had created public anxiety simply because they were not well informed on the matter.