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Ah Mei’s concert rating “had to be raised” due to “prior incident”: MDA

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10 years ago

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Rainbow, a song by Taiwanese singer, Zhang Hui Mei – or Ah Mei, as the singer is popularly known – was not included in her repertoire in a recent concert in Singapore because the organiser had “decided not to include the song in the line-up.”
This was according to a statement by the Media Development Authority (MDA) on 1 July 2014.
Ah Mei’s Spring Wave Singapore concert was held at Gardens by the Bay on 7 June, as part of the annual Spring Wave series of concerts in Taiwan.
The omission of the song in the Singapore concert gave rise to controversy as it is a popular song for fans of the singer.
The organiser, Leap Integrated Marketing Solutions, the marketing and PR consultancy outfit for the event, had revealed just days before the event itself that Ah Mei would not be singing the song at the concert.
The song, called 彩虹 in Chinese, is apparently about a relationship between a couple. Some of the words in the song have been interpreted to refer to homosexuality, or gay people or relationship.
The title of the song itself, Rainbow, is seen by some as alluding to the rainbow-coloured flag, which is used to symbolise gay rights or the gay community.
According to one English translation of the lyrics of the Chinese song:

The closet isn’t consider that wide to store your paradise
Still, you’ve invited me to share it (with you)
Our love is alike
We’ve all been hurt by men
However, (we) still continue to be hurt

However, what seems to have gotten the goat of the MDA is not the lyrics of the song but the venue where the song would be performed – at the outdoor area of the Gardens, accessible to the general public – and what had happened during an earlier concert by Ah Mei here in Singapore when the song was being sung.
In an earlier statement, the MDA had apparently taken issue with the fact that the concert would be held in an open area of the Gardens by the Bay.
It said that “the nature of outdoor performances at public spaces, such as Spring Wave which was held at Gardens by the Bay, makes it difficult” for the authorities to issue “consumer advisories” which would “allow consumers to make more informed media choices for themselves and their children.”
“Hence,” the MDA said, “organisers of these events should ensure that their performances are suitable for general audiences.”
Subsequently, the MDA said it “advised the organiser that an outdoor concert would typically allow only for content that is ‘General’ in rating.”
The MDA also took issue with what Ah Mei had done during the performance of the song at a concert last year.
“The authority also noted that when the artiste Zhang Hui Mei performed the song ‘Rainbow’ at her indoor concert in Singapore in January last year, she encouraged her fans to openly show affection for their same-sex partners and the camera had focused on the audience doing so.”
It was “due to this prior incident” that the MDA told the organiser that if the artiste performed the song this year the rating for the outdoor concert would have to be raised above ‘General’.
“The organiser then decided not to include the song in the line-up,” according to the MDA.

The MDA’s explanation, however, has been met with criticism, derision and disbelief.
Some have pointed out that Ah Mei’s song was innocuous, similar to thousands of similar love songs out there, about relationships between couples.
Others wanted the MDA to leave them to decide for themselves and make their own choices about such things, instead of having the authorities decide for them arbitrarily.
Han Ming Guang, commenting on a news report about the incident, pointed out that a video of the 2013 performance of Rainbow showed that it was “a large majority of heterosexual couples” who kissed during the song, which was picked up by the cameras and shown on the big screen on stage.
“If you think the song is questionable, then ban the song,” Mr Han said.
Others have asked why a single song is being effectively banned while an annual event – Pink Dot – celebrating the “freedom to love”, promoting gay relationships, is allowed at Hong Lim Park.
The MDA’s decision is the latest in a recent series of incidents on the topic of homosexuality, leading up to the Pink Dot event last weekend.
Muslim and Christian groups had, for the first time, expressed their opposition to the event publicly this year, which included a “Wear White” campaign by some Muslims as a sign of opposition to Pink Dot.
The Singapore government’s position on the issue is to urge both sides to “agree to disagree”.
Singapore society is not likely to come to a conclusion on gay rights, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in January last year.
“These are not issues that we can settle one way or the other, and it’s really best for us to leave them be, and just agree to disagree. I think that’s the way Singapore will be for a long time,” he said.
———————
Here’s MDA’s statement in full:

Sinnathamby

Sinnathamby

We refer to the recent feedback on the Media Development Authority’s (MDA) advice to the organiser of the Spring Wave Singapore concert, on the song “Rainbow”.
In licensing arts entertainment events such as pop concerts, the MDA’s objective is to provide classification ratings that will enable the public to make informed decisions on attending such events, in particular, whether the contents are appropriate for the young, while providing a diversity of media choices to adults.
For this concert, the MDA received the organiser’s arts entertainment licence application only a few days before the event.
The MDA advised the organiser that an outdoor concert would typically allow only for content that is “General” in rating. The authority also noted that when the artiste Zhang Hui Mei performed the song “Rainbow” at her indoor concert in Singapore in January last year, she encouraged her fans to openly show affection for their same-sex partners and the camera had focused on the audience doing so.
Due to this prior incident, the MDA told the organiser that if the artiste performed the song, the rating for the outdoor concert would have to be raised above “General”. The organiser then decided not to include the song in the line-up.
Chetra Sinnathamby
Director, Content and Standards
(Films, video games and Arts)
Media Development Authority

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Indonesia

Miss Universe cuts ties with Indonesia chapter after harassment allegations

The Miss Universe Organization severs ties with Indonesia franchise due to harassment claims. Malaysia edition canceled.

Women allege body checks before pageant. Investigation launched. Safety prioritized.

Indonesia winner to compete in November finale. Height requirement controversy.

Published

1 year ago

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14 August 2023

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WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — The Miss Universe Organization has cut ties with its Indonesia franchise, it announced days after allegations of sexual harassment, and will cancel an upcoming Malaysia edition.

In the complaint, more than a half dozen women said all 30 finalists for Miss Universe Indonesia were unexpectedly asked to strip for a supposed body check for scars and cellulite two days before the pageant’s crowning ceremony in Jakarta.

Their lawyer said Tuesday that five of the women had their pictures taken.

“In light of what we have learned took place at Miss Universe Indonesia, it has become clear that this franchise has not lived up to our brand standards, ethics, or expectations,” the US-based Miss Universe Organization posted Saturday night on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.

It said that it had “decided to terminate the relationship with its current franchise in Indonesia, PT Capella Swastika Karya, and its National Director, Poppy Capella.”

It thanked the contestants for their bravery in coming forward and added that “providing a safe place for women” was the organization’s priority.

Jakarta police spokesman Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said Tuesday that an investigation into the women’s complaint has been launched.

The Indonesia franchise also holds the license for Miss Universe Malaysia, where there will no longer be a competition this year, according to the New York-based parent organizer.

In a lengthy statement posted to Instagram, Indonesia franchise director Capella denied involvement in any body checks.

“I, as the National Director and as the owner of the Miss Universe Indonesia license, was not involved at all and have never known, ordered, requested or allowed anyone who played a role and participated in the process of organizing Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 to commit violence or sexual harassment through body checking,” she wrote.

She added that she is against “any form of violence or sexual harassment.”

The Jakarta competition was held from 29 July to 3 August to choose Indonesia’s representative to the 2023 Miss Universe contest, and was won by Fabienne Nicole Groeneveld.

Miss Universe said it would make arrangements for her to compete in the finale, scheduled for November in El Salvador.

This year’s Indonesia pageant also came under fire for announcing a “significant change in this (year’s) competition guidelines” with the elimination of its minimum height requirement after it had crowned a winner.

In its statement, the Miss Universe Organization said it wanted to “make it extremely clear that there are no measurements such as height, weight, or body dimensions required to join a Miss Universe pageant worldwide.”

— AFP

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Malaysia

A Perodua service centre in Kuantan, Malaysia went viral for its strict dress code, Perodua responds

A dress code for vehicle servicing? A Malaysian car brand’s service centre dress code signage has puzzled netizens, raising queries about the need for attire rules during a routine service.

The manufacturer responded with an official statement after a flurry of comments, seeking to clarify and apologize.

Published

1 year ago

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10 August 2023

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MALAYSIA: A dress code signage positioned at a service centre belonging to a prominent Malaysian car brand has sparked bewilderment among Malaysian netizens, who question the necessity of adhering to attire guidelines for a simple vehicle servicing.

The signage explicitly delineates clothing items that are deemed unsuitable, including sleeveless tops, short skirts, abbreviated pants, and distressed jeans.

The car manufacturer swiftly found itself flooded with comments from both inquisitive and irked Malaysian netizens. This surge in online activity prompted the company to issue an official statement aimed at clarifying the situation and extending an apology.

In a post that gained significant traction on the social media platform, politician Quek Tai Seong of Pahang State, Malaysia, shared an image to Facebook on Monday (7 Aug).

The image showcased a dress code sign prominently displayed at a Perodua Service Centre in Kuantan. Within the post, Quek posed the question: “Is this dress code applicable nationwide, or is it specific to this branch?”

The signage reads, “All customers dealing with Perodua Service Kuantan 1, Semambu, are requested to dress modestly and appropriately.”

Adding visual clarity to these guidelines, the sign features illustrative graphics that explicitly outline clothing items deemed unacceptable, including sleeveless tops, short skirts, short pants, and ripped jeans.

Delineating the specifics of the dress code, the signage stipulates that male visitors are expected to don shirts accompanied by neckties, opt for long pants, and wear closed shoes.

Conversely, female visitors are advised to don long-sleeved shirts, full-length skirts, and closed-toe footwear.

Perodua’s dress code sparks online uproar

Following the rapid spread of the post, Perodua’s official Facebook page found itself inundated with comments from both intrigued and frustrated Malaysian netizens, all seeking clarifications about the newly surfaced dress code policy.

Amidst the flurry of comments, numerous incensed netizens posed pointed questions such as, “What is the rationale behind the introduction of such regulations by the management? We demand an explanation.”

Another netizen expressed their dissatisfaction, arguing against the necessity of the rule and urging Perodua to take inspiration from the practices of other 4S (Sales, Service, Spare Parts, and Survey) automotive dealerships.

A concerned Facebook user chimed in, advocating for a more lenient stance, asserting that attempting to dictate customers’ clothing choices might not be in the company’s best interest.

Someone also commented in an angry tone, “Oi what is this? Going there for car service, not interview or working, right.”

As the discourse unfolded, it became evident that while some inquiries carried genuine weight, others chose to inject humor into the situation, playfully remarking, “If I wanted to buy a Myvi, I should buy or rent a formal attire first.”

“I sell economy rice at a hawker centre, I have never worn a long sleeve shirt and a tie… I guess I will not buy a Perodua car then.”

“I guess they will not serve those who wear short pants.”

Perodua addresses dress code controversy

As reported by Chinese media outlet Sin Chew Daily News, the manager of Kuantan’s Perodua Service Centre had acknowledged that the images on the dress code signage were misleading.

In response, the manager divulged that discussions had transpired with the head office, leading to the prompt removal of the signage to prevent any further misconceptions.

The manager clarifies, “We do encourage visitors to adhere to the dress etiquette, but we won’t go to the extent of restricting their choice of attire.”

He also revealed that currently, no complaints have been directly received from the public.

However, feedback from certain customers was relayed through Perodua’s agents.

Perodua also released an official statement by chief operating officer JK Rozman Jaffar on Wednesday (9 Aug) regarding the dress code on their official Facebook page.

The statement stated the dress code etiquette is not aligned with their official guidelines and they are currently conducting an official investigation on the matter followed by corrective measures to avoid the same incident from happening.

Perodua also extends its apologies for any inconvenience caused.

 

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