Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Sarawak has its own set of guidelines for concerts.

“But, of course, I don’t want to see foreign artistes performing naked on stage. There are certain rules that they have to follow, but we have to be flexible,” he told reporters after an event in Kuching today.

He said two artistes who took part in last year’s Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak would not have been allowed to perform in other states because of their attire and performance.

“There will be no way for them to get a permit if they were to perform in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.

“But we (allowed) it. That reflects the independence or autonomy that we have here, we can make our own decisions.”

Last week, stakeholders in the entertainment industry raised concerns about the impact of the new guidelines for concerts.

The guidelines, which will come into effect next year, prohibit foreign artistes from holding large concerts and live performances on the eve of Islamic public holidays and on the holiday itself.

The prohibition covers the entire month of Ramadan, Awal Muharram, Maulidur Rasul, Israk Mikraj, Nisfu Sya’ban, Nuzul Quran, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidiladha.

The other new rules prohibit male foreign artistes from cross-dressing as women, and both male and female foreign acts from removing any clothing during their performance.