PUTRAJAYA, Sept 2 - The Information Communication and Culture Minister admitted today that the government had no right to stop people from attending the Arthur’s Day concert featuring US hip-hop band Black Eyed Peas this September 25.
In an about face, the government reversed an earlier decision barring Muslims from attending the concert featuring US hip-hop band Black Eyed Peas.
The hip-hop band is headlining the concert organised by Guinness to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its founding in Dublin, Ireland.
Datuk Seri Rais Yatim said today the government would leave it to the “better judgment” of Malaysians.
He told reporters that organisers need only get a permit for them to hold such functions under the Police Act.
“It is not right for any authority to bar them from entering the hall or to attend and enjoy the music of the show.
"So long as it is a closed concert and it is pursuant to the local government prescription as well as those that are being practised under normal circumstances supervised by the authorities under the Police Act,” he explained.
The ban against Muslims came on the heels of a planned PAS protest against the Michael Learns To Rock concert in Genting Highlands in four days’ time and last month’s abortive caning of a Muslim mother of two for drinking beer, raising fears of creeping Islamisation in daily life.
The federal government said the punishment was “too harsh” and threatened Malaysia’s reputation as a moderate nation, adding the caning was being reviewed despite the woman asking for a public whipping.

written by Greenbug, September 02, 2009
written by RT, September 02, 2009
If that happened, what would the authorities do then - arrest them for attending a concert?
The Ministry must have realised the folly of such a ban and decided to do a flip flop on the decision ( as usual)- they would be looking like stupid fools if they implemented such a ban.
written by malaysian, September 02, 2009
written by Hang Tuah 1, September 02, 2009
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Malaysia - a moderate nation???
No lah, Malaysia is no longer a moderate nation -
Malaysia is disintegrating into a fragmented nation.
Muhibbah is lost.
Long time ago.
written by Deepak Gill, September 02, 2009
Any idiot could have deduced this, but this idiot had to impose a ban, and then realize the obvious.
Rais Yatim is not fit to be a minister.
written by Malaysian , September 02, 2009
MALAYSIA has many Masters but none among all, have the balls to speak up coz' all takin' care of their own backs ...
ha ha ha ha ha !!! The World laughs at decisions of our civil-service & political Morons where the 1-eyed men are Kings.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha !!!! Even our "moderate" muslim neighbors are laughing their arses-off.
Ha ha ha...
written by Terang Bulan , September 02, 2009
written by blah, September 02, 2009
written by Danni, September 02, 2009
written by Jason, September 03, 2009
written by AgeeToDisagree, September 03, 2009
B.N. please correct the summarily imposed oppression of Forced Military Conscriptions and replace it with a voluntary system. However it is likely that only P.R. has the ears and heart for the spirit of humane penning and amendment of laws . . .
written by wira, September 03, 2009
I wonder if the UMNO faction in PAS will fall for it.
written by Simon, September 03, 2009
We just love it! Flipping Flopping is just our daily activities, we have no shame, no dignity, no integrity. Wanna live with us? We promise not to cane or arrest you when you drink.....heheheheeh...we might even give you a free ride in our car.....hahhahaahh
written by Mae, September 03, 2009
written by Pemetik Jagung, September 03, 2009
written by KLite, September 03, 2009
Do you even know what you are doing? What you are thinking? What you are saying? Why don't you get Dr.M to get you some memory pills.
You can join him and reminisce the good ol days before internet where Umno controls the information flows.
written by Bunga Mawar, September 03, 2009
Unfortunately for him who is stuck in a time warp, the present younger generation are much better informed due to the internet, satellite TV/radio, etc., and they do not hesitate to point out the mistakes and poor reasoning of their elders, unlike the earlier generations of young people who were usually cowed into docility.
Earlier this flip-flopper had wanted to filter the internet (and even to censor it if he could) but fortunately for the rakyat his boss smacked down the idea swiftly. This clearly shows that Mr Flip-flop doesn't get it; he is out of tune with the times (for goodness sake, this is 2009 not 1959!), and people can see that he can't cut it anymore. By desiring to filter/censor the internet, it shows that he is frightened that this technology could spotlight his defects/mistakes for the whole world to read about instantaneously. Well, sorry, sir, this is exactly what is happening as this Malaysian Insider report demonstrates!
Therefore, as an earlier commenter above suggested, it is really time to retire dear datuk/grandpa. Make use of whatever little time you have left on earth to spend with your loved ones and play with your grandchildren. Let's be realistic here, a person who is close to 70 years of age is closer to the "other side" than he/she is to this side. In other words, Tuhan may recall you "home" any time. As someone pointed out - no one on his deathbed has ever said "I wish I had spent more time at work" - meaning it's much more gratifying and meaningful spending more time with your family and loved ones.
written by tony, September 03, 2009
written by lengcai, September 03, 2009
written by Gonggong, September 03, 2009
Malaysians are not stupid. They will make their choice if they want to attend any concert!
written by Rakyat, September 03, 2009




