KOTA BARU: Beginning next year, concerts and entertainment shows in Kelantan will be gender segregated, with female performers only allowed to perform to female audiences.
State Local Government, Housing, Health, and Environment Committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah said under the state's new Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Control Bill 2024, organisers who breach the regulations can be punished with a RM50,000 fine.
The bill was approved in the state legislative assembly last week.
The bill, which is yet to be gazetted, will see organisers hit with a RM50,000 fine if they allow unrestricted mingling between men and women.
Any organiser who does not apply for an entertainment permit from the local municipal council can also be fined up to RM50,000.
"We are now waiting for the English version draft of the Bill to be completed and after that, the Bill will be gazetted.
"We expect the Bill will come into force next year," he said.
Speaking to a Press conference after meeting the Kota Baru Municipal Council workers here today, Hilmi said organisers can apply the permit from all the 12 municipal councils throughout the state.
He added the fine amount had increased compared to the previous Bill which imposed a maximum fine of RM20,000.
Hilmi said entertainment activities will also be under strict surveillance by uniformed bodies such as the police and Rela members.
On Thursday, the state government approved the Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Control Bill 2024 proposal, which includes increasing fines up to RM50,000 for offences, such as unrestricted mingling and socialising between men and women.
The proposed bill aims to improve the Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Control Enactment (Entertainment Enactment 1998), which has been in effect since June 15, 1999.
Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said other improvements include prohibiting entertainment activities containing, promoting, or including elements contrary to ethics, manners, and morals.
This includes supporting or normalising lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) behaviours, disrupting racial harmony and unity, and insulting religion.