KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong has backed calls by Buddhist organisations to ban a Korean DJ from performing in Malaysia again after he dressed as a monk while performing at dance club here recently.
The Ayer Hitam member of Parliament said the controversial acts of DJ NewJeansNim have hurt the feelings of the Buddhist community which due to celebrate the Wesak Day later this month.
"I agree with the Young Buddhist Association Malaysia (YBAM) and Fo Guang Shan Malaysia which have called for action to be taken by the authorities to ban a DJ from Korea from performing again at a dance club in Kuala Lumpur.
"The popular Korean DJ has angered the Buddhist community in Malaysia when he "disguised" himself as a Buddhist monk and performed at a dance club, which gives a wrong perception of Buddhist values and teachings.
"His controversial acts have hurt the feelings of the Buddhist community, which will celebrate Wesak Day in two weeks' time," Wee said in a statement today.
Following the controversial performance, Wee called on the government to deny entry of the DJ, who is expected to perform again at the dance club this May 21, a day before the Wesak Day.
"I appeal to the Home Ministry to instruct the Malaysian Immigration Department, the police and the Puspal secretariat (Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes) to prevent the entry of the DJ into Malaysia in order to respect the sanctity of Buddhism and preserve religious harmony in Malaysia.
"If the DJ did not disguise as a Buddhist monk during his performance and incite religious sensitivity and cause unnecessary controversy, the Buddhist community will not have any intention to block the performance of any artists," added Wee.
Checks on Gemu Club's Instagram account showed that DJ NewJeansNim is scheduled to make a second appearance on May 21 due to overwhelming demand.
Earlier today, Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia (YBAM) in a statement slammed the bald Korean DJ for dressing as a monk during his performance on May 3 at the dance club.
The association said it has received complaints from devotees who believed that the DJ had "harmed and disrespected" the Buddhist way of life with his performance.
"YBAM opines that the impersonation of Sangha members, one of the components of the Triple Gem, in performances in entertainment venues such as dance halls is inappropriate," YBAM secretary-general Eow Shiang Yen said in the statement.
"Such an arrangement will not only affect the solemnity of Buddhism but may also confuse the public about the true meaning of Buddhist rituals, such as chanting sutras and holding palms together," he added.
YBAM also called for all parties to avoid abusing religious elements for entertainment purposes, warning of sensitivities related to 3R (race, religion and royalty).