M'sian Home Ministry Not Satisfied With The Star's Explanation

KUALA LUMPUR, March 8 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian home ministry is not satisfied with an explanation by The Star newspaper over its Feb 27 publication of a photograph depicting a foreign artiste whose body was tattooed with the word, 'Allah'. Therefore, it wants the English-language newspaper to submit recommendations to the ministry on firmer action to ensure similar mistakes were not repeated and could serve as a lesson in the future. In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry said it would like to emphasise to The Star and all media to take preventive action, corrective and informative, to prevent the display of personalised content affecting the sensitivities of the multi-faith society in the country. On Feb 27, the ministry had asked The Star to clarify the publication of the photograph depicting singer Erykah Badu's tattoo. A day later, Malaysian Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim announced the cancellation of the singer's concert scheduled for Feb 29, for allegedly violating the Central Agency for the Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal) guidelines. In the meantime, The Star had made an apology in the newspaper and its news portal over the publication of the photograph. -- BERNAMA