Home Ministry must stop shows by those dressed as ‘Buddhist monks', says Dr Wee

Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.-filepic

PETALING JAYA: Entertainment club performances by individuals dressed like “Buddhist monks” should be halted, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The MCA president said he had conveyed to the Home Minister on Thursday (May 9) morning that any performances by individuals who impersonate Buddhist monks should be stopped to preserve religious harmony in the country.

“The actions of the Korean DJ are absolutely uncalled for and should be prevented,” said Dr Wee in a Facebook post today, adding that he understood the deejay is scheduled to perform in Melaka on May 31.

Buddhist religious groups had reportedly received complaints from devotees that the South Korean deejay NewJeansNim had disrespected the religion when he wore a white monk robe to perform at a Kuala Lumpur nightclub.

A video of NewJeansNim’s May 3 debut at Gemu Club on Jalan Kia Peng had gone viral on social media, where the bald Korean performer was seen in a monk get-up and shaved head dancing to a cheering crowd.

The nightclub announced it had cancelled a second performance scheduled for May 21 following the backlash.

“I hope the Home Ministry will investigate and ban the DJ from future events if he has been invited to perform in other places in the country,” Dr Wee added.

“The Buddhist community would have no qualms in welcoming the performer to the country if he had not dressed up as a monk and involved any religious elements in his performance that had insulted the sanctity of Buddhism,” he also said.