All parties must adhere to the entertainment guidelines formulated by the  Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), even though they are not enforceable by law, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom says.

The guidelines are meant to create a healthy implementation of entertainment practices, and they won't clash with Islam, Jamil Khir said in a parliamentary written reply that was released yesterday.

This was in reply to Abdul Hadi Awang ( photo ) (PAS-Marang), who asked how the government would enforce the entertainment guidelines in matters related to concerts.

"This is in line with the principle to take care of religious requirements as stated in maqasis as-syariah (intention of syariah).

"As such, all parties involved in entertainment industry should adhere to the guidelines despite these not being a law with rules that can be enforced," Jamil Khir says in the parliamentary reply.

Jakim also recently introduced a new guideline requiring Muslim men and women at concerts to be seated separately .

The guidelines were approved at a national fatwa committee meeting on Feb 10 and 11.

The update was made in response to an incident in January incident at which members of the K-pop band hugged tudung-clad teenaged Muslim girls on stage during a mini-concert in Kuala Lumpur, outraging conservative Muslims.

The guidelines even state the types of musical instruments that can be used, which are similar to instruments allowed in a wedding or festivities under syariah law.

Guidelines slammed as 'unwise'

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

As a result, several quarters, including concert promoters, entertainers, NGOs and politicians, slammed the guidelines , calling the move "unwise" and "not feasible" in a multicultural, multi-religious country like Malaysia.

The second version of Islamic Entertainment Guidelines 2015, Jamil Khir said, would be able to assist the organisers to arrange their programmes in accordance with Islamic religious teaching.

This could also help the authorities in ensuring the organising of entertainment programmes based on religious teaching, syariah and morals, he said.