The Islamic Development Department (Jakim) will only implement its proposed guidelines on entertainment after these are approved by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Its public relations officer Zakaria Othman told malaysiakini today that the draft - prepared by the department's research division - will be submitted to Abdullah "in the near future".

He said Abdullah had agreed to Jakim preparing the guidelines when he met state muftis at a meeting recently.

Zakaria said he was aware that debate has begun in some quarters over the proposed guidelines, but said he could not comment on this since the draft has not been made public yet.

"The guidelines will be referred to the premier first. It is not like we are going to announce and implement it as soon as it is finalised," he said when contacted.

"I have not seen the draft myself. Only the research division (of Jakim) is privy to this. What I know is only what had been reported by the papers, quoting a minister in the prime minister's department."

Last week, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdullah Md Zin said the guidelines - which are based on the recommendations of the National Fatwa Council - would be announced soon.

Among the proposed provisions, he said, were a ban on 'live' and broadcast entertainment programmes during prayer times for Muslims, as well as prohibition of song lyrics that are deemed contrary to Islamic teachings.

Mixed reactions

The statement quickly got the attention of MCA whose official website questioned the rationale of barring entertainment during prayer-times, as this would contravene the open policy on religion that the government has adopted.

Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism president Harcharan Singh and Peoples' Progressive Party president M Kayveas also joined the debate .

Harcharan said non-Muslims should be consulted in formulating the guidelines, as many entertainment outlets are owned by non-Muslims.

Kayveas claimed that the guidelines could also have an adverse economic impact if not implemented carefully, as they could affect tourism.

However, Malay non-governmental organisation Teras Pengupayaan Melayu (Teras) welcomed the guidelines as conforming with a need to regulate the entertainment industry, which is known to influence values and culture.

"We feel the guidelines will be a good reference point for the entertainment sector to vet their activities so as not to go against the country's objectives to create morally strong citizens," said Teras chairperson Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid in a statement

He also expressed concern over the views of the non-Muslim organisations in trying to delay enforcement of the guidelines.

"Teras is very concerned about the declining moral values in this country especially among the youth," he added.

"We urge the authorities not to submit to the pressure of liberal groups that seem to favour the Western lifestyle of absolute freedom in the entertainment sector."