Kuala Lumpur, Sept 19: A Malaysian state ruled by a hardline Islamic party on Thursday banned female entertainers from performing live in front of men in a move to "cultivate modesty and high morals", a state spokesman said. All rock groups and pop bands will also be barred with immediate effect in the northeastern state of Kelantan, which is run by the opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), said a spokesman for state Chief Minister Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

"The ban centres on a ruling stipulating that entertainment in whatever conditions involving anyone must bring about an environment that is modest and moralistic," Anual Bakri Haron said.
"So if the performance has any elements that are contradictory to that of Islam, it cannot be allowed."
He said the ruling for women performers only applied to those above the age of 12 and that children of all genders were still allowed to hold live performances for the public. Bureau Report