Malaysia's opposition Islamic Party (PAS) protested the government's move to allow sexy American pop diva Mariah Carey to hold a concert here next month, saying it would encourage moral degradation.
In a letter to Tourism Minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, PAS youth wing said Carey's planned concert at a stadium in Kuala Lumpur on February 22 was also disrespectful to Muslims because it coincided with an Islamic religious holiday.
"To allow a western artist, especially Mariah Carey who is well-known for her sexy clothing, to perform on Awal Muharram is disrespecting the sensitivities of Muslims and can be seen as challenging the status of Islam as Malaysia's official religion," it said.
"We cannot accept such an immoral concert to be held on Awam Muharram or on any other days... it is not only an insult to Muslims but will encourage moral degradation especially among youths."
PAS youth wing noted that this was not the first time the tourism ministry had approved such concerts, noting that it also allowed major US rock group Linkin Park to perform here in October.
It called for Carey's concert, which is part of her "Charmbracelet" world tour, to be cancelled immediately and urged the government to apologise to Muslims, who make-up some 60 percent of Malaysia's 25 million population.
The government should organise more programs to benefit the Muslim community, rather than tarnish good eastern values by bringing in such "obscene and immoral culture," it added.