American pop quintet The Pussycat Dolls have caused a ruckus after a performance in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, featuring "sensuous elements" and "scantily clad performers".
The promoter, Absolute Entertainment, has been slapped with a RM10,000 ($US2,714) fine by the local council of the suburb the show was put on in.Datuk Mohamad Arif Abdul Rahman told the Malay Mail "The Pussycat Dolls were guilty of performing sexually-suggestive routines on stage. In terms of their eye-popping attire, well, there's a lot of proof of that from our sources in the media."
If the company fails to pay up, the organiser could face a jail term of not more than five years.
The code for performing in Malaysia is tough, it bans:
• Behaving improperly, such as jumping about, shouting or throwing things on stage or towards the audience
• Acting or saying things with sexual innuendos, or in their dance moves; hugging or kissing the audience or fellow artistes
• Saying or doing things which can be interpreted as an act of attracting attention to or idolising a particular society or religion that can affect the political situation and stability of the country.
• Performing in the nude or stripping while performing.
Artists must also adhere to a dress code, which states that:
• A female artiste must cover herself from the top of her breast to the knee.
• A male artiste must cover himself from the chest to the knee.
• A female artiste performing belly dancing must cover her abdomen with at least a 'net' type of material with designs.
The Pussycat Dolls are not likely to be deterred, since their sexy image is what has taken them to the top of the pops.
