In the absence of Indcoup who, lucky bugger, can afford a couple of week's offblog in Bali, I think it's important to highlight yet another case of mad Malaysian mullahs. Mullah, incidentally, is a term of respect for Islamic teachers, but the religious police in Ipoh, Malaysia (who) detained a Muslim singer and her band, accusing her of baring too much flesh during a recent performance at a nightclub certainly aren't deserving of any.
Siti Noor Idayu Abd Moin's sleeveless white top exposed a triangle of skin on her back, prompting officials to charge her with "revealing her body" and "promoting vice". This was after they'd breathalised her twice, for zero results, and suggested that the money she earned working in the outlet was duit haram (illicit money) and that her parents, children and future generations would all be tainted for using such money.
In other words, these are thought police.
Unspun, a Malaysian resident here, and Nuraina A Samad, a Muslim lady born in Singapore who challenges the notion of a man's world, both have a photo of Siti which will probably not titillate these gentlemen as they've got their own collection to drool over.
"When I was in the department's headquarters ... my pictures were taken again and again," Siti told Kuala Lumpur's New Straits Times. "When I asked why they needed so many shots they said: 'It's procedure.' Really? I think I was being singled out."
Rainforest World Music Festival 2007
Elsewhere in Malaysia there is a festival next weekend that is sure to upset the uptight gentlemen of Ipoh. Musicians from as far apart as the UK, Afghanistan, Poland and Peru will be performing at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching,
If you love the rich variety of music that we are capable of making, from Tuvan throat singers to English skifflers to the bamboo music of the Kelapang Kelabit upstream forest group, then grab your tickets now and mentally thumb your nose at the idlers of Ipoh.
