Rules spark protests in Malaysia

The Malaysian government has officially warned comedians not to crack jokes that cause too much laughter.

Its Islamic Development Department, known as Jakim, has handed down new guidelines to make sure entertainment sticks to Muslim moral values – which include not behaving – or laughing – in an extreme way.

Other Jakim rules are that jokes should not be made on 'serious' or 'mournful' matters and that performers should be of 'noble personality' with 'good morals' – even offstage – with no criminal convictions, either under civil or sharia law.

The department also states that men and women should not mix in the audience – or on stage.

Rizal Kamal, chief executive of local comedy promotion company LOL Events told Chortle the 'guidelines are not binding and most probably will never be enforced' – but were still causing serious concern.

And he added, wryly: 'If we were to enforce the guidelines we would need some sort of laugh-meter… We imagine religious Laughter Police snooping comedy shows looking to catch comics who indulge the audience with "excessive laughter".'

Kamal, whose company runs The Comedy Club in Kuala Lumpur, added: 'Government bodies in arts, culture and entertainment do refer to these guidelines and will only adopt those they think are supportive of their own policies and objectives.

'In the past few years, we have had many concerts and events in Malaysia from local and international artist. We have to adhere to some rules on attire and content, but nothing too extreme.'

The guidelines were originally released in 2007 but have just been updated. Kamal said the rerelease meant 'many are afraid that some government agencies will change their current policies – so artists, venue owners, promoters and all other stakeholders, including the public, are protesting against these guidelines'.

'Jakim, as the Islamic body of Malaysia, is in a way compelled to produce a guideline that conforms to the Islamic way of life. Nonetheless, it is up to other government agencies and general public opinion to decide on the level of adoption and enforcement.'

Local comics have also wondered how the new ruling on excessive laughter will be enforced.

Ahmad Nabil Ahmad, also known as Nabil Raja Lawak, said : 'How are they going to monitor it? Are they going to send their officers to tail every comedian? Our job is to make jokes, but we can't force the audience to laugh — or not laugh.'

And Allan Perera, who is not Muslim, told the Malay Mail he was curious about how 'excessive laughter' would be defined. 'What scientific genius or measuring tool will be used?' he asked.

'The best part of my career is hearing from people I had made their day, especially if they were feeling down. Laughter is something we need in our lives.'

The president of the Malaysian Artistes Association, Datuk Freddie Fernandez, told journalists the new guidelines will 'create problems' in the industry, adding: 'Not all of the fans in Malaysia are Muslim, and in fact come from various race and religions.'

Published: 20 Apr 2015