KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) women's wing has called for an immediate ban on the hit song ‘Despacito’ over its allegedly sexually explicit content.
The wing's Arts and Culture bureau chairman Atriza Umar said the party views the matter seriously as Malaysia’s youth have been singing the song without fully understanding the meaning behind the lyrics.
“Local radio channels, including Malay-based (radio channels) have been playing this song which has caused a phenomena and it is now uncontrollable.
“We would like to call for the song as well as other songs that contain lewd meanings and which are against Eastern and Islamic cultures to be stopped immediately,” she said in a statement today.
Atriza also expressed disappointment over the matter, adding that the ministry in charge of screening content must take appropriate action.
"The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) must take firm, immediate action over this issue which could damage society's morals.
“We respect everyone's right to entertainment but clear guidelines must be put in place so that entertainment would not damage them but instead, make them better," she added.
Despacito, the wildly popular hit by Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi and Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber, has been played 4.6 billion times across all streaming services, according to BBC.