'Lamb of God' denied permit to perform in Malaysia

The Communications and Multimedia Ministry has rejected the application to stage a concert here on Sept 28 by the heavy metal group 'Lamb of God'.

The ministry said in a statement today that the performances of the group were found to infringe on the religious sensitivities and cultural values of Malaysian society.

The decision was made at a meeting of the Central Committee on Applications for Filming and Performances by Foreign Artistes (Puspal) yesterday, it added.

The United States' group was scheduled to perform in Jalan Sultan Ismail here.

The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) had expressed its objection to the group's performance in the country.

Jakim director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha had said that the music that the group had performed was a mix of metal songs with the reading of verses from the Quran.

He had also said that the Jakim objection was in accordance with the decision of the Fatwa Committee that the practices and acts of black metal groups were misguided and contrary to the true teachings of Islam.