LINKIN PARK Show Will Erode Morals, Claims Malaysia's PAS YOUTH

Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS) Youth has voiced its objection to the LINKIN PARK concert on October 15, claiming that the show will erode the morals of the young as the audience will comprise males and females, reports Malaysia's The Star Online.

Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub said the concert would lead to zina (illicit sex),kissing, drug abuse and the use of alcohol, adding that the concert was untimely.

He said the concert, which is the only stop for the group in South-East Asia, was not the proper way to attract tourists and the concert permit should be revoked.

In a statement yesterday, Salahuddin also urged the Government to stop issuing permits to Western artistes, claiming such performances were unhealthy for society.

MCA Youth leader Fam Lee Ee described the stand by PAS Youth as "ridiculous and would make Malaysia a laughing stock."

He said Salahuddin was making presumptuous remarks and was assuming that the public would commit immoral acts by merely attending the concert which would take place at Stadium Merdeka.

"His argument is illogical as Kelantan, which is a cultural desert, has one of the highest sex crime rates in the country. The concert will be held in an open area, so PAS should get its facts right," he said.

Fam, who heads the MCA Youth international affairs bureau, said the concert would attract tourists from the region, saying LINKIN PARK were known to be a clean act and the members were also known for their computer skills.

He said this was not the first time that PAS had protested against concerts, saying its supporters in Universiti Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia objected to concerts by SHEILA MAJID and ALLEYCATS in the 1980s although they were Malaysian artistes.

"PAS should stop talking about cultural performances as it has even banned them in Kelantan and Terengganu simply because it deems them immoral," he added.

He said the LINKIN PARK concert would be held in Kuala Lumpur while the Organisation of Islamic Conference would be in Putrajaya, saying PAS should not make an issue out of it.

The Culture, Arts and Tourism Ministry has imposed stringent rules in allowing the concert to take place in Kuala Lumpur and a sell-out crowd is expected, he added.